The hot start continues for the Lutheran High Northeast Eagles, as they left Memorial Field in Norfolk with a close 22-20 win over Guardian Angel Central Catholic.

The Eagles were charged by a strong rushing attack with a trio of ball carriers in Landon Johnson, Keaton Ranslem, and Champion White, combining for 196 total rushing yards.

Lutheran High Northeast stole the momentum early in the first quarter, with Keaton Ranslem striking first for the Eagles on a five yard touchdown run. The score came on a crucial fourth down early in the game, and after an unsuccessful two-point conversion, the Eagles led 6-0.

In the second quarter, GACC scored its first points of the contest, eating up a large amount of clock and breaking through on a 32-yard touchdown dash from Evan Schuetz. Bluejay's quarterback Coy Kreikemeier capped the drive of with a two-yard run on the conversion to give the Jay's an 8-6 lead.

As fast as the Bluejay's lead came, it was gone in an instant. On the next play from scrimmage, Champion White took a jet sweep 66 yards to the house to give the lead back to the Eagles. 

Champion White lived up to his name, earning the night's Player of the Game honors. White finished with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown.

With the score being 14-8 at halftime, Coy Kreikemeier continued to put the Bluejay's in a great position, finding the end zone from three yards out in the third quarter and tying the game at 14.

Later in the third quarter, Lutheran High Northeast pounded the pigskin over the goal line with Keaton Ranslem again, nabbing his second touchdown of the evening to retake the lead.

With the score at 22-14 midway through the fourth quarter, the Eagles defense was solid, but still unable to contain Kreikemeier who burst through the gap for a 20-yard touchdown come within two points of the tie. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, allowing the Eagles to hold onto the slim lead.

GACC had one final chance to score a touchdown and win the game in the closing seconds, but Cort McKeown made a leaping interception to seal the victory for the Eagles and send the hometown fans happy.

Coy Kreikemeier was a bright spot for the GACC Bluejays, rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns, adding 101 yards though the air. Nate Niewohner was the Bluejay's leading receiver, tacking on 70 yards as his total.

With the win, Lutheran High Northeast moves to 3-0 on the season and looks to stay undefeated in a matchup against winless Wakefield next Friday. For GACC, they drop to 1-2 and will battle Madison next Friday as well.