Santa Fe Christian beats Army-Navy in Coastal League opener

SOLANA BEACH – A Coastal League rivalry between two undefeated teams resumed Saturday, when Army-Navy traveled to Santa Fe Christian.

Santa Fe Christian made crucial plays in all three phases to secure a 35-20 victory over the Warriors.

“It feels great. They’re a really good football team over there, really high stakes matchup,” said Eagles quarterback Dax Labrum, who completed 12 of 20 passes for 118 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. “To win the first game of league play is everything.”

Right from the start, the Eagles (7-0, 1-0 Coastal League) were ready. After the Warriors (5-1, 1-1) went three-and-out, a bad snap set up first-and-goal at the 4-yard line for Santa Fe Christian. Two plays later, Labrum found senior tight end Jairus Bolden for a 2-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

SFC then stopped a fake field goal attempt. With 9:45 remaining in the second quarter, Labrum found junior Brady Berg for a 4-yard touchdown to take a 15-0 lead on a two-point conversion pass from kicker Bradan Scott to Bolden.

Scott, who is committed to Boise State as a kicker and punter, made two field goals, including one from 45 yards early in the fourth quarter. He also returned an interception for a touchdown.

“SFC has had some really good kickers, a lot that have gone to the NFL in the past,” Scott said. “It’s definitely something here that I take pride in. I take pride in carrying on that tradition of being a very good kicker. During the week, it’s very important to make sure I’m not overdoing it, but still doing the best.”

Labrum said Scott’s kicking “takes the pressure off me.”

“We have so many guys that can step up, and having a guy that can nail a 45-yarder every single time is huge, and three points can matter a lot, especially as we’re coming down to more league play and the playoffs,” he said.

Scott intercepted Army-Navy quarterback Judah Bogard’s pass and returned it for a 47-yard pick-6.

“He’s quite the athlete,” Labrum said. “It’s kind of crazy. I’m sure the guys up there in Boise love to see that, too.”

Army-Navy continues league play next week, hosting Escondido Charter. Santa Fe Christian heads to Classical Academy for a non-league game on Thursday.

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Santa Fe Christian 35, Army-Navy 20

Army-Navy —   0       7        0        13    — 20

Santa Fe Christian —   7       11        14        3  — 35

S – Bolden 2 pass from Labrum (Scott kick)

S – Berg 4 pass from Labrum (Bolden pass from Scott)

A – Hoag 3 run (Broxon kick)

S – Scott 29 FG

S – Berg 5 run (Scott kick)

S – Scott 47 interception return (Scott kick)

S – Scott 45 FG

A – Samoa 31 pass from Hoag (Broxon kick)

A – Torres 22 pass from Bogard