For the second consecutive year, the Sandhills Patriots varsity football team has won the PYFL Super Bowl.

In a hard-fought contest, the Patriots defeated the Richmond County Packers 8-0 in front of hundreds of fans who traveled to Vance High School to support the Patriots.

The Patriots’ offense, which has averaged over 35 points per game this season, got things started on the third play of the game when Carson Maples took a handoff from Bradley Black and raced around the left end 57 yards to pay dirt. The Patriots faked the extra point kick and Black found Maples in the back of the end zone to give the Patriots an 8-0 lead.

From that point forward, the game belonged to the Patriot defense. Led by linebackers Ryan Lipomi and Jaylen Taylor, the Patriot ‘D’ held the Packers scoreless for the third time this season. Defensive linemen Joseph Lewis, Thomas Lehto, Ryan Brooks and Ayide McKnight controlled the line of scrimmage while outside linebackers Caleb Hendricks and Taylor put constant pressure on Richmond County’s quarterback.

Strong safety Landon Winningham and middle linebackers Ben Remington and Lipomi made tackles all over the field.

On the most crucial play of the game, the Packers quarterback scrambled to his right with a clear path to the end zone. Lipomi came across the field from his middle linebacker position to make the tackle and hold the Packers to a short gain.

On the Packers last drive, cornerback Keegan Good intercepted a long pass down the left sideline to seal the Patriots’ victory.

Defensive backs including Good, Bailey Benton and Detavia Baker also had big games with Baker making an interception and Benton coming up from his safety spot to make several big hits on Packers receivers.

Although the offense continued to move the ball after the first score, miscues, penalties and a fumble thwarted additional scoring opportunities.

Black was again accurate connecting with tight end Jordan Denny and Chance Castillo on multiple occasions to help the Patriots maintain possession of the football.

“However, in the end, the defense won this game,” head coach Tom Van Camp said. “I told the kids after the game that, from an offensive perspective, we made several critical mistakes, but still came out on top. I think that is a testament to the kids’ character and resolve.”

Following the game, Van Camp presented defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Craig Baggett with the game ball. The Patriot defense has allowed just 14 points in 9 games this season. Over a span of two years, the defense has allowed just 32 points in 19 games, less than 2 points per game.

“Craig has done an amazing job over the last couple of years and he really had the defense ready to play tonight,” Van Camp said.

The Sandhills Patriots will travel to Charlotte just after Thanksgiving to play in the team’s third consecutive North American Youth Football Championship.

In addition to the Prep, Junior Varsity and Varsity teams, the Patriots will field a team which includes its current varsity squad plus about eight players from last year’s Super Bowl championship team.

Coach Baggett is looking forward to reuniting with the Patriot alumni.

“We are like a family and I am really excited to see our alumni come back and participate with us in the tournament. Hopefully this will become an annual tradition,” he said.

Last year the Prep team and the Junior Varsity team both won the North American Youth Championship for their respective divisions.