First-year coach Michael Brown gave the Presbyterian Christian football team a bible quote before Friday's season-opening 35-20 win over Columbia Academy.
The verse reads, 'Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!'
The quote seemed to resonate with the Bobcats, particularly with quarterback Cannon Crowder, who ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns, contributing to PCS building a 35-7 by the third quarter. Not to mention putting the program's brand-new artificial turf field to good use.
"We did that tonight," Brown said. "It pays to be the winner. Small wins or big wins, it is what it is. You want to win."
However, neither side could gain an advantage until the final 22 seconds of the first quarter.
After quarterback Cannon Crowder found Kade Welford for a 39-yard reception, the duo connected again for a 29-yard touchdown to put PCS on the board. Then on the first play of Columbia Academy's ensuing drive, Jakobe Lindsey came up with a batted pass and scored on a pick-six.
"We had a dual quarterback deal going about a week ago with Brandon Brown and Cannon Crowder," said Brown on choosing Crowder as his starting quarterback. "Crowder was the more quarterback-savvy quarterback, but Brandon is the team leader. You have to find a way to have both of those on the field to benefit the team itself. If you saw Brandon, he played some slot receiver, some fullback in our 21 personnel stuff.
"Cannon won it as far as experience. Both of them are seniors. It's hard to come in the first time and win the quarterback spot."
The Cougars responded with a 9-play, 73-yard drive and scored on an 8-yard touchdown by quarterback Reed Duncan to narrow the score to 14-7 midway through the second quarter.
Crowder maintained PCS offensive momentum with his ability to scramble and keep plays alive, which led to his first rushing touchdown of the night on an 11-yard run with less than seven minutes left in the second quarter. Along with Crowder's work on the ground, he finished the game 12-for-20 and tossed for 140 yards and a touchdown.
"You could see him on the scrambles, and we had a few calls that were read pulls, and he broke away," Brown said. "You could see his vertical speed and getting to that front pile-on. It shows the type of athleticism he has. I don't think people here knew that (but) that's the type of athlete that he is. He has kind of a basketball mentality and plays out here on the field.
"He's elusive, is shifty and smart."
A second interception by Lindsey inside Columbia Academy's red zone set up another touchdown run for Crowder as the clock expired at the half.
"Jakobe asks questions every day," Brown said. "He's a very intellectual kid. I love him, and he is very kind. He's a good kid, but we saw some toughness. He had a handful of tackles too. I haven't seen the stats, but he had at least four solo tackles plus the pick-six. That was huge, and it gave our defense confidence."
PCS' final touchdown of the night came on the opening drive of the second half with a 21-yard completion setting up a 1-yard touchdown run for John Hayes Hunter.
Columbia Academy's final two scores came just before the end of the third quarter and fourth quarters, with both being touchdown passes from Duncan, who finished the game 19-for-31 throwing for 169 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
PCS' defense, which forced three turnovers, including a fumble, held the Cougars to 214 total yards, with 147 of those coming in the second half.
The Bobcats go on the road next to face Lamar, while Columbia Academy stays on the road to face Christian Collegiate Academy.
