Harvest Time Christian Academy wins season opener

Harvest Time Christian Academy makes its victorious 34-26 return to the gridiron with a new head coach.
The last time Colin LeBlanc stepped on a football field, he was a senior all-state linebacker and a member of the Harvest Time Christian Academy State Championship football team. Thursday night, he once again entered the football scene, this time as head coach of his alma mater.
“It is such a pleasure for me to be in this position. I appreciate Mrs. (Michelle) Rupert (principal) and Pastor Steve (Delino) for giving me this opportunity,” LeBlanc said. “As a coach, it is so exciting and rewarding to see the heart and determination in all of our players”.
HTCA took a one-year hiatus from football, but they are back and poised to be in the thick of things in the Association of Christian Educators of Louisiana (ACEL) 8-man football division.
If Thursday night’s game against Assembly Christian School of New Iberia is any indication, the Lions are on pace to do just that.
They are led on offense by freshman QB Landon LeBlanc. Landon finished the night with three TDS (rush, pass, INT return). “Landon is our leader on the field. He is vocal, and demands a lot from himself and his teammates. He is young, and still learning the position, but his athletic ability carries him,” LeBlanc said.
Ben Landry, sophomore, was the offensive standout of the night. He rushed for 184 yards and 2 scores.
“It is gratifying as a coach to see someone play with heart like Ben does,” the coach said. “He is extremely quick, and can change direction as well as anyone I have seen.” Landry also played stellar defense, making several key stops on 3rd down.
Although HTCA’s offensive is built around the running game, junior wide-out Bryce Magee took in a 60 yd bomb from LeBlanc in the 2nd quarter. Magee also plays a vital role as safety on the defensive side.
“Bryce has a motor that just doesn’t stop. He is a quiet young man, but plays full speed with tons of intensity”.
Other standouts for the Lions were senior Trevor Acord and freshman Logan Hernandez. “Trevor is a big part of what we do on offense. He is a big guy, and can get us tough yards when we need it. Logan is just starting this game, but has really made an impact early on. He is always near the ball on defense”.
HTCA will be back in action Thursday night at Palombo Field taking on Philadelphia Christian Academy out of Lafayette.
Game time is set for 7 p.m.