No. 1 Providence Day survives early stumble, beats the ‘school down the street’

Charlotte Christian first-year coach Chris James figured that if his team was going to upset the Carolina’s No. 1-ranked high school football team at home Friday, the Knights needed to force turnovers against Providence Day.

Well, Christian intercepted Providence Day quarterback Jadyn Davis three times in the first half, twice in the end zone, and recovered a fumble in the scoring zone.

And Providence Day still won 47-13.

“I think it was me kind of pressing,” Davis, the Michigan commit and reigning N.C. Mr. Football said after the game. “I didn’t take what the defense gave me and that was just an extremely unacceptable half for me; probably the worst half I’ve ever played in my high school career. ... I apologized to my guys at halftime. I told them, ‘The first half was on me.’”

Davis and the Chargers (8-0) struggled a little in the game, partially due to an inspired Charlotte Christian defensive performance led by the Knights’ two Notre Dame-bound seniors — Bryce Young and Micah Gilbert — and partially because the Chargers just could never find their A game.

Gilbert had all three interceptions of Davis. Providence Day finished with five turnovers.

“We haven’t had four turnovers all year,” Chargers coach Chad Grier said. “Jadyn proved he’s human. He’s a ... living breathing human but he’s still pretty dang good.”

Passes Davis usually hits didn’t connect. Big stops the Chargers normally get, they didn’t get Friday. And Christian seemed intent on giving up short passes to Davis and not the over-the-top, ESPN highlight-ready passes he’s been throwing every week. Still, the score ended up getting lopsided.

Davis came into the game with one interception this season. He threw three Friday to go with two touchdowns, but Providence Day running back Ian Cline, a junior, had a monster game with 261 yards rushing and four scores.

After Christian tied the score at 7, aided by the turnovers, and added a little first-half drama, Cline and the Chargers pushed out to a 21-7 halftime lead. Cline’s third touchdown of the game pushed it to 34-7 in the third quarter.

“The running game is a quarterback’s best friend,” Davis said “When you’re running the ball, that’s clogging the gaps and will open up the deep (passing) shots. I told Cline, every time before he touched the ball, ‘Go score.’ I’m just so happy to be his teammate and grateful he’s part of our family.”

Charlotte Christian (5-3) is the Chargers’ chief rival. Most Providence Day players, like Davis, won’t even call Christian by name. Instead they refer to Christian as “the school down the street.”

The schools are about a mile apart on Sardis Road in southeast Charlotte. And as big as the rivalry was, Providence Day might have had a bit of a trap game with a matchup next week against Rabun Gap (GA) that will determine the Big South conference championship and could also determine who has home-field advantage in the state finals.

Providence Day beat Rabun Gap 24-21 in the regular season last year. This season, Rabun Gap, which plays in the NC private school league, is the No. 1 overall ranked team in North Carolina, public or private, in the MaxPreps computer rankings. Providence Day is No. 2.

Next week’s game will be the game of the year, so far, in the state.

“It’s gonna be a different test,” Davis said. “It’s the best of the best. What else do you want in high school football? This game will show us where we’re at as a football team and I’m excited to compete with those guys.”

Three who made a difference

Ian Cline, Providence Day: He finished with 23 carries for 261 yards and four touchdowns, and picked up an offer from Charlotte 49ers coach Biff Poggi — who was in attendance.

Jadyn Davs, Providence Day: Despite his slow start, Davis finished 16-of-24 for 243 yards with two touchdowns and the three interceptions.

Micah Gilbert, Charlotte Christian: The Notre Dame commit had three interceptions.

Worth mentioning

▪ Providence Day’s UNC-bound receiver Jordan Shipp caught eight passes for 142 yards and a touchdown.

▪ Providence Day’s N.C. State’s bound two-way star Brody Barnhardt had an interception plus three catches for 59 yards and a score.

▪ Providence Day had more turnovers (five) than penalties (three).

PHOTOS: No. 1 Providence Day at Charlotte Christian

This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 9:29 PM.