Published: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 / Updated: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 12:00 AM

First Assembly 14, Westminster Catawba 3

CONCORD, N.C. -- Go figure.

A low-scoring, defensive battle decided the Metrolina Athletic Conference regular-season champion on Friday. First Assembly, coached by former Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter, beat Westminster Catawba, coached by a defensive-minded Ben McGarity.

Final score: First Assembly 14, Westminster Catawba 3.

The Indians' defense came ready to play. There was no way they were going to be beaten by the running game of First Assembly and running back Tony Moore. Moore game into the game leading the MAC in rushing with 1,195 yards.

Moore was fed a steady diet of handoffs in the first half. The Indians stuffed most of his carries early. The defense tackled him for a loss four times in the first half and limited him to 10 yards on 14 attempts. He finished with 52 yards on 28 carries.

The Eagles have other weapons, though.

In the second quarter, Minter cracked open the playbook to find the passing section. Quarterback David Larson completed a pass to Kyle Grisby, and the speedy wideout raced to the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown.

The touchdown and 2-point conversion gave the Eagles an 8-3 lead. As it turned out, that's all the scoring First Assembly needed.

The touchdown was a relief for Minter. The second-year coach said after the game he knew how good Westminster Catawba's defense was going to be.

“When I saw the film on these guys, I knew they were going to be physical and well-coached,” Minter said. “They were never out of position. No. 9 (Dan Casey) and No. 6 (Ian Brandt), they were in on every play, it seemed. They are a great defense.”

It was a game of missed opportunities for the Indians, who fell to 6-3 on the year and 4-1 in the conference.

Brodrique Moore broke free on Westminster Catawba's first offensive play of the game and rumbled 38 yards to the Eagles' 3-yard line. The drive stalled ther,e and the Indians settled for Wil Pickel's 21-yard field goal.

Twice the Indians defense stopped First Assembly in the red zone. In the second quarter, Peyton Hinson stuffed Tony Moore on fourth-and-goal run from the 3-yard line. In the fourth quarter, a pass to Moore on a fourth-and-9 play from the 14 netted only 4 yards.

Larson faked a handoff to Tony Moore late in the final stanza and ran 28 yards for the Eagles' second touchdown of the game.

Unfortunately, the Eagles' defense was as good as the Indians' ó maybe a bit better.

Westminster Catawba managed just 66 yards in total offense. Take away the first play of the game, and the Indians moved the ball 28 yards in 47-plus minutes against the reigning conference champs.

There were a couple of untimely penalties on Westminster Catawba in the second half. Then, forced to try to score quickly, the Indians threw two interceptions late in the game.

McGarity comforted his team after the game. He reminded his team how far they had come from a 2-8 season a year ago.

“It's just a shame,” he said. “We were just a mistake and a couple of penalties away from being in this game for a championship. I am most proud of this team, though.”

The Indians have one more regular-season game remaining. They should lock up a No. 2 seed heading into the playoffs. If that scenario plays out, Westminster Catawba would host its first-round game.

First Assembly, 9-0 and 5-0 in the MAC, played for the state championship last year.

“We have some unfinished business there,” Minter said.

Minter hinted that he wouldn't be surprised if his team had to play Westminster Catawba again in the playoffs.

FIRST ASSEMBLY 14, WESTMINSTER CATAWBA 3

WCCS.....3.....0.....0.....0.....--.....3

First Assembly.....0.....8.....0.....6.....--.....14

SCORING SUMMARY

WC -- Wil Pickel 21 field goal

FA -- Kyle Grisby 54 pass from David Larson (Brandon Stegall pass from Larson)

FA -- Larson 28 run (kick failed)

TEAM STATISTICS

.....WCCS.....FACS

First downs.....6.....11

Rushes-yards.....25-33.....44-100

Passing.....33.....126

Comp-Att-Int.....4-11-2.....6-9-1

Fumbles-Lost.....2-0.....2-0

Penalties-Yards.....5-37.....10-80

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- WCCS: Brodrique Moore 15-47, Dan Casey 7-(-26), Brad Adams 1-9, Josh Parker 2-3. First Assembly: Tony Moore 28-52, Kyle Grisby 5-13, Tyler Rhyne 1-(-3), David Larson 9-36, Brandon Stegall 1-2.

PASSING -- WCCS: Dan Casey 4-11-33. First Assembly: Larson 5-8-1-126, Stegall 1-1-0-0.

RECEIVING -- WCCS: B. Moore 1-1, Ian Brandt 1-14, Brad Adams 2-18. First Assembly: Stegall 1-32, T. Moore 2-15, Grisby 1-54, Rommel Montague 1-25, Larson 1-0.

RECORDS-- First Assembly 9-0, 5-0 MAC..... WCCS 6-3, 4-1.