By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Hope Christian School fell to Macon Road Christian School of Memphis, Tenn., 22-6 in its opening game of the National Association of Christian Athletes football playoffs Nov. 9 in Dayton, Tenn.

The Eagles (6-5) will play Lake Norman Christian School of Huntersville, N.C., in the NACA Division 4 championship game Nov. 11 at 10 a.m.

Hope Christian lost starting quarterback Eric Spence in the second quarter against Macon Road Christian. Spence, who was escorted to a nearby hospital after being hit in the kidney area, suffered a deep bruise and missed the remainder of the game.

Backup quarterback Dillon Thompson tossed a 5-yard touchdown pass to Timothy Bell in the third quarter to account for the lone touchdown in the defeat.

Hope Christian finished with 163 rushing yards and 44 passing yards in the game.

Thompson completed 4-of-8 passes for 44 yards. Thompson, who had an interception on defense, also rushed for 36 yards on eight carries.

Andrew Whitson rushed for 49 yards on 13 carries. Bell registered a team-high nine tackles and finished with a fumble recovery and an interception.

Reid Allen and Brett Armstrong recorded seven tackles each.