Boyd Street August 2021

The 2020 season lived up to preseason hype for Community Christian as the Royals collected their third consecutive playoff berth, posted a 9-3 record and recorded the program’s first playoff win since joining the OSSAA over traditional powerhouse Davis, 35-7.

With a 19-13 loss to Oklahoma Christian School, CCS walked away wanting more. The Royals dug themselves an early three-touchdown deficit but rallied back by pitching a second-half shutout and had multiple opportunities to take the lead in the second half.

“When we walked off the field last year at Oklahoma Christian School, we had multiple opportunities to win that game that we let slip through our hands,” Community Christian head coach Mat McIntosh said. “As great as the season was for our school, we walked off the field feeling like we could’ve done more. We’re excited to try to take another step for our program and excited to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke for us.”

Offensively, the CCS attack starts with a three-year starting quarterback Boyce McIntosh (Sr, 6’1”, 205). After having never taken so much as a practice snap at quarterback ahead of his sophomore season, Boyce McIntosh has guided Community Christian to the playoffs in both of his seasons at quarterback and continues to progress in the Royals’ spread, air raid offensive attack.

“As a coach, to have a senior, three-year starter coming back who has led us two years in a row to the playoffs, there’s a lot worse positions to be in as a football team,” Mat McIntosh said.

On the offensive line, CCS returns a pair of three-year starters, Jesse Hodgson (Sr, 5’11”, 215) and Jay Kroeger (Sr, 6’, 190). The Royals are moving Kallen Montgomery (Sr, 6’1”, 205) from the slot receiver position into the backfield where he will be the primary running back.

“He was great for us at slot, but he’s a good-sized kid,” Mat McIntosh said. “He’ll be our starting tailback and we expect big things from him.”

Outside wide receiver Charlie Peterson (Sr, 6’3”, 185) led the team in catches and yardage a season ago. Slot receiver Josiah Fuller (Jr, 5’9”, 150) will be joined by a pair of slot receivers that CCS was able to convert into dual-sport athletes off the basketball team, Keaton Schallhorn (Sr, 6’, 170) and Gershom Smith (Sr, 6’2”, 175).

Bai Jobe (Jr, 6’5”, 210) already holds six power-five school offers as a rush end, but he is too dynamic to not be used offensively at wide receiver. Jobe joined the team midway through last season and played the final six games of the year. McIntosh said he has developed even more this offseason.

“We expect big things from him,” Mat McIntosh said. “His athleticism, the way it’s best described is he’s a freak athlete. He’s 6-foot-5, 210 pounds with a seven-foot wingspan.”

Defensively, Community Christian will once again operate out of a 3-4. Dylan Acton (Sr, 5’8”, 165) is back as a threeyear starter at defensive end.

“He’s not a very big kid, but he’s the strongest kid on our team. He’s just strong as an ox, quick and difficult,” Mat McIntosh said. “As games go on, we have a lot of big, offensive tackles he goes against that just get tired of getting beat by this little guy.”

Acton will be joined by Jobe and Lucas May (So, 6’, 220) up front.

“He’ll just be a nightmare on the end for the opposing teams that we face,” Mat McIntosh said of Jobe.

CCS will be replacing all four of its starting linebackers. To combat the inexperience, the Royals are shifting two-year starter

Montgomery over from strong safety to outside linebacker.

“He’s been one of our most productive players the past two years,” Mat McIntosh said.

At inside linebacker, Kroeger will look to be a two-way starter opposite Will Clements (Sr, 5’ 11”, 195). The other outside linebacker spot will be a competition throughout fall camp.

In the secondary, the Royals return a wealth of experience.

“We return everybody that played in the secondary for us last year in any significant minutes,” Mat McIntosh said.

Peterson and Zach Darden (6’1”, 160) will start at the two cornerback positions.

“Zach Darden is one of our best athletes, one of our faster kids,” Mat McIntosh said. “He’s actually our backup quarterback, but, on offense, we’re going to have to get him on the field and let him play some receiver for us.”

At safety, Boyce McIntosh is back as a four-year starter, while Quinn Colvin (Jr, 5’9”, 155), Chris Gray (Jr, 5’9”, 150) and Josh Pantoja (Jr, 6’, 175) are battling for the other starting spot. Braxton Hartsock (So, 5’10”, 150) will also be in that mix. –BSM