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Christian Liberty earns first victory

It was only fitting that senior David Sotomayor had a big hand in Christian Liberty's first varsity football win, a 13-8 decision at Luther North in Chicago on Saturday.

Sotomayor put the Chargers on top 6-0 when he caught a 62-yard option pass from junior Ben Thomas.

“We needed a special play to use my speed,” said Sotomayor. “I've waited for this moment as a player to get our first win. It was a lot of dedication and determination by the whole group.”

Sotomayor also intercepted 2 passes, rushed 13 times for 61 yards, kicked a extra point, and even punted late in the game when regular punter Winston Scott suffered a leg injury.

“David is a all-around player,” said Charger coach Jim Calkins. He's got great strength and ability. His game is to get into the open field and make use of his speed.”

Christian Liberty, which finished 1-8 in the Northeastern Athletic Conference, went up 13-0 on Dan Glad's 10-yard run with 2:26 left in the first quarter. The touchdown was set up by Sotomayor's interception.

Glad, though, was lost for the second half with a concussion.

“We knew what we had to do in the second half without Dan,” said linebacker Jared Edmonds, who was credited with 7 tackles, with 2 for losses. “We felt that this game was winnable for us and we practiced real hard all week. It paid off.”

“Jared really showed a lot of leadership out there,” said Calkins. “He grew into it as the season went on.”

The Wildcats (0-9) closed the gap to 13-6 with :06 left in the first half.

Rhian Miles (13 carries, 63 yards) wove his way in from the 6-yard line. A 2-point conversion pass from quarterback Sean Chapman (9-for-21, 3 interceptions, 170 yards) to Devin Jenkins then made the score 13-8.

The Wildcats had two chances in the fourth quarter but two fumbles, the second recovered by Tylor Canoy with 1:47 left in the came sealed Luther North's fate.

“It was all the players that made this win possible,” said Calkins. “They never gave up all season and their heads were never down. This was a huge for this team, and a big win.”