VCA freshman defensive end Roy Vian celebrates after recovering a fumble in the second quarter of the Patriots’ 52-0 Week 1 shutout home win over Coolidge JV Thursday at Patriot Stadium. The Patriots (1-0) recovered five of the Yellowjackets six fumbles in the contest. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
It only took an hour for the Victory Christian Academy Patriots to find the win column for the first time in the 2025 season.
Fueled by anticipation following a brief weather delay, the Patriots (1-0) dominated in every aspect of the game. VCA outgained Coolidge JV by almost 200 yards (263-64) en route to a 52-0 blowout win Thursday at Patriot Stadium. The game was called at halftime due to 6-man football’s scoring rules.
“We looked really good,” VCA coach Nathan Geiger said. “The rain delay kind of threw us off of our routine — everything changed. But I told the guys that football’s football, and we had to come out and be ready to play. Coolidge unfortunately lost a couple of guys in practice the last couple of days. They brought out everything they could to at least give us a game. That’s a team of freshmen and sophomores, and we’re predominantly that, as well. But tonight, we didn’t look like our age — we looked like a group that’s starting to get where we need to.”
VCA junior defensive end Dillon Anders (21), freshman defensive end Chris McBee (6) and freshman linebacker Luke Lowery (7) trap Coolidge JV quarterback Karson Kennedy before combining for a sack Thursday at Patriot Stadium. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
The Patriots collected the bulk of their 263 yards of total offense via the ground game, as seven players combined to rush for 169 yards and six touchdowns. Meanwhile, VCA’s defense stood strong against a 7-man Yellowjacket squad, allowing Coolidge just one first down and 64 total yards. Coolidge also struggled to keep possession of the ball, coughing up five of their six fumbles on the night.
“We’ve got some dynamic players,” Geiger said. “One reason we were excited about this year is our speed, and speed kills in 6-man football. We’ve got a lot of diversity in what we can do this year. But our speed offensively is what’s going to the hard to stop this year.”
VCA turned on the scoreboard quickly thanks to a 40-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Jaylen Donald on the Patriots’ first play from scrimmage.
Donald — the 2024 Wise County Offensive Newcomer of the Year — led VCA’s rushing attack with 65 yards and two touchdowns on three carries.
“To get the win on our home field in Week 1 is pretty good,” Donald said. “Blocking was great today and in practice this week, which it really wasn’t in our scrimmages. I feel really comfortable with [senior running back] Nick [Cunningham] blocking for me in the backfield. I was able to just execute to my full potential.”
VCA sophomore running back Jaylen Donald led the Patriots’ run game in a 52-0 shutout home win over Coolidge JV Thursday. He finished with 63 yards and two touchdowns on three carries. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
The home team built up a 30-point lead at the end of the first quarter following a pair of 15-yard touchdown runs by senior quarterback Junior Suarez and Cunningham, as well as a 33-yard scoring pass from Suarez to freshman quarterback Luke Lowery.
“At the scrimmages, we messed up a lot. But I think we’re really getting into the nitty gritty now — hitting, tackling, wrapping up and blocking perfectly,” Cunningham said. “We’ve got guys that can run down the field like nobody’s business, and hopefully, we’ll keep it up.”
Suarez was VCA’s top passer, completing four of his six passing attempts for 87 yards. He also tacked on a pair of touchdown runs, rushing for 14 yards on three carries.
“Being able to lead this team is a great feeling,” Suarez said. “Everyone’s looking up to us seniors, showing and dominating the best that we can. Being a dual-threat quarterback in 6-man football is definitely valuable, but then I also play both ways and can go hit someone on defense and not be scared.”
VCA freshman quarterback Luke Lowery sprints through the Coolidge JV defense during the Patriots’ 52-0 Week 1 home win Thursday. Lowery finished with 63 receiving yards and one touchdown on three catches. MICAH MCCARTNEY | WCMESSENGER
Donald started the second quarter off by reaching the end zone on an 11-yard run. The Patriots closed out the contest with a pair of rushing scores by freshman running back Reece Bates (28) and Suarez (4).
Lowery led the Patriots’ receivers with three catches for 63 yards and one score.
For Coolidge, running back Ryan Hunter was the Yellowjackets’ top rusher with 74 yards on 12 carries.
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The Patriots will hit the road for the first time in Week 2. VCA travels to face Temple Christian 7 p.m. Sept. 4.
Geiger wants to see his team continue to grow following the big season-opening victory.
“The biggest thing this group can do is learn day in and day out,” he said. “We’ve got a lot to prove this year. There’s a lot of people saying we’re rebuilding and it may not be a good year for us, and we’ve heard that. All of that talk is motivating us to focus on playing our best football every week, whether we win or lose. If we keep getting better and improve in practice, keep showing up and keep busting our butts, the results will show.”
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