Waxahachie, TX- On Saturday, Arizona Christian scored first and last and then use a late interception to seal their 29-22 victory over SAGU.  Senior Quinta Thomas delivered the first 100 yard plus ACU rushing effort of the season with 139 yards and a touchdown.  Senior Will Johnson made 13 tackles with a sack.

After the teams exchanged punts through the first quarter, the Firestorm (3-2, 2-0 CSFL) cashed in a touchdown early in the second quarter.  Junior Gerrit Groenewold connected with Freshman Alias Sturges from 10 yards out.  For Sturges, the TD was his first of the season.

The Lions (2-4, 0-2 GSAC) countered right back with a touchdown after a huge kickoff return created a short field starting at the ACU 43.

Both teams punted again before ACU retook the lead by going 57 yards in 1:43.  Groenewold found Sophomore Alan Freeman twice for 31 yards before hitting Junior Streeter Turner two times including a 15 yard strike for the touchdown.

With just over a minute left in the half, SAGU used a 27 yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 14-14 headed to the break.

Half number two started miserably for the Firestorm as their first two drives ended in turnovers- an interception and a fumble- followed by a safety on their third drive.  The two points from the safety for the Lions were the only points scored in the third quarter.

Thomas rumbled for 26 yards into the end zone to push ACU back in front at 21-16 with about 12 minutes to play in the game.

SAGU responded with a 75 yard drive finished off with a 21 yard touchdown pass.  The Lions went for two but were turned away.

On the ensuing kickoff, a fumble recovered by SAGU gave them the ball at the ACU 25.  However, the ACU defense stood strong and thanks to two SAGU penalties the drive actually resulted in negative seven yards.

Down one, the Firestorm pulled a trick out of the bag as Junior Tyler Dunken delivered a 27 yard touchdown to Senior Donovan Smith.  Going for two, Groenewold hooked up with Dunken to give ACU a 29-22 edge.

Attempting to at least tie the score, SAGU moved from their own 25 to the ACU 23.  Passing toward the end zone, Junior Malik Sawyer intercepted a pass at the ACU 2.

Six straight rushes resulted in two first downs and then a 12 yard reception for another first down iced the Arizona Christian win.

Groenewold threw for 196 of the 245 ACU passing yards.  Dunken topped with 42 yards receiving.  Freeman had 41 yards receiving.  ACU rushed 50 times for 228 yards with Thomas going for the 139, Junior Justin Carroll adding 51 yards, and Sophomore Damario Fair had 24 yards on six carries.

Defensively behind Johnson, Junior Chris Oatman came through with nine tackles.  Senior Quintin Riley and Junior Bryton Green made eight tackles each.  Green recovered a fumble forced by Senior Gary Stevenson.

Head Coach Jeff Bowen offered these comments, "It was a great team win because we had to battle through some adversity.  CSFL play is always going to be tough because we are the defending champs.  Every Saturday we are going to get our opponent's best effort. We aren't sneaking up on anyone this year."

On Saturday, the Firestorm return home to host Texas College at Shadow Mountain High School at 2:00 pm.