Two dominant backs in Caleb Richeson and Xavier Strong are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Merritt Island Christian Cougars will look to defend their home field on Friday against the Sports Leadership & Management Spartans at 6:00 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.
Sports Leadership & Management's offense is going to have their work cut out for them on Friday: Merritt Island Christian hadn't allowed a single point the last four times they've hit the field. The Cougars simply couldn't be stopped on Friday as they easily beat Eastland Christian 54-0. The result was nothing new for the Cougars, who have now won eight games by 24 points or more so far this season.
Bode Handwork
| 10/17/25 vs Eastland Christian | 20 |
| 10/10/25 @ City of Life Christian Academy | 10 |
| 09/26/25 @ Calvary Chapel Academy | 19 |
| 09/19/25 vs Donahue Catholic | 10 |
| 08/15/25 @ Academy at the Lakes | 4 |
| + 2 more games |
Merritt Island Christian's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Bode Handwork led the charge by throwing for 107 yards and one touchdown, while also punching in one score on the ground. What's more, Handwork racked up 20 rushing yards, the most he's had since back in November of 2024. Another rusher making a difference was Emmerson Hahn, who rushed for 71 yards and one TD.
Merritt Island Christian was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 251 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 162 rushing yards every time they've taken the field this season.
Another reason for the win was Merritt Island Christian's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for three sacks. The team can thank two different players for their defensive prowess: Daiden Gilmore and Austin Bryant, who each picked up 1.5 sacks apiece. Gilmore was another major factor on D, picking up 1.5 sacks and making six total tackles (2.5 for loss).
Meanwhile, Sports Leadership & Management faced Four Corners in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Spartans took a 48-44 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Coyotes.
Sports Leadership & Management's loss was their third straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 3-6. Those road defeats can't be blamed on the team's offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 32.7 points over those games. As for Merritt Island Christian, their victory bumped their record up to 8-1.
Everything came up roses for Merritt Island Christian against Sports Leadership & Management when the teams last played back in August, as the squad secured a 48-6 win. In that contest, the Cougars amassed a halftime lead of 42-0, an impressive feat they'll look to repeat on Friday.
