As the fog rolled onto the field, the Wayne Christian football team huddled together one last time.
They dumped Gatorade on head coach Luis Miranda, and once the Eagles broke the huddle, they erupted in tears of joy.
The best season in Miranda’s tenure as head coach ended with a dominant 56-12 win against Pungo Christian Academy on Friday evening.
“There is just a bond in this team that runs so deep,” Miranda said. “These guys just play for each other, and they’re committed to each other.
“What you see on Friday nights is the culmination of that brotherhood.”
Wayne Christian (3-0 overall) ends the regular season undefeated but is ineligible for playoffs because Wayne Christian has homeschooled students on its team.
However, in a battle between two of the top eight-man football teams in the NCISAA, Wayne Christian flexed its muscles and put a cherry on top of its season.
“Our goal was to shut out Pungo,” Miranda said. “I know they’re disappointed because when they step on the field, they believe that the way they play for each other, they can beat anybody in the state.”
Trent Elliott’s 10-yard burst ignited a 40-point run, which eventually led to a 40-6 halftime lead. Elliott finished the game with 147 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Playing in his final game, senior quarterback Devin Nixon threw three second-quarter touchdown passes. Nixon ended the game with 226 yards passing and four touchdowns.
Wayne Christian was forced to punt on its opening drive of the third quarter, but the Eagles’ defense forced a safety, and the running clock started early in the third quarter.
“We have some phenomenal athletes,” Miranda said.
Wayne Christian capitalized on Pungo’s miscues throughout the game, and in the fourth quarter, the Eagles flew out to a 56-12 lead.
After the game, Miranda said the Eagles would receive a banner and championship rings to commemorate their remarkable season.
“We built our house,” Miranda said. “This game was about putting the last brick in, and to see where this program has come is amazing. We’ve cemented Wayne Christian as a football school in Wayne County.”
