Life Christian in 1A quarterfinals with dynamic QB Jabez Boyd: ‘That was our vision’
Jabez Boyd scanned his sideline and sensed the dejection — helmets down, spirits low as Life Christian Academy trailed by two possessions in the final four minutes of Saturday’s 1A Round of 16 playoff game.
Not on QB1’s watch.
“I had to pick them up,” Boyd told The News Tribune.
“I made sure they knew this game was not over. We’re not going home. We worked too hard for this. And as soon as we got the ball in our hands, I knew we were going to score.”
King’s High School controlled a 41-30 lead late in the fourth quarter until Boyd directed consecutive scoring drives, including his game-winning, two-yard keeper at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood. Life Christian’s defense never stopped the King’s offense – not once – yet the Eagles rallied behind their quarterback for a 46-41, come-from-behind victory.
With Boyd, the reigning 1A Nisqually MVP, there’s always a way.
“We (couldn’t) stop a nosebleed,” Dennis said. “But the entire time we were playing, I never felt (defeated). I always knew we’d get our break. I didn’t know if it’d come from defense, special teams… but I knew we’d get our break.”
When Life Christian trailed by three points in between Boyd’s late scoring drives, Dennis turned to mental math with two timeouts in his pocket: would his Eagles defense have enough time to stop King’s (something they hadn’t done all afternoon), force a punt, and score again?
One coordinator implored Dennis: “Ambush.”
Ah, Life Christian’s onside kick play-call, something they practiced at length leading up to the playoff game. And the result? Kicker Julian Roso executed a perfect dribbler to the middle, waited the required 10 yards of roll, and fell on the football himself with teammates at his every side. Dennis’ defense didn’t need another stop; Roso and the special teams unit stole the ball back.
The break Life Christian waited for.
They required near-perfection out of their quarterback, and Boyd delivered: a big-gainer to WR Andre Meltzer set up his game-winning keeper at the 2, and the signal caller finished Saturday’s state playoff game with 385 total yards and six touchdowns. WR Champ Seumalo paced the Eagles with 90 receiving yards and two touchdowns, RB Atinae Nuu posted 136 scrimmage yards with a score, and the 46-41 win clinched the school’s first trip to the state quarterfinals since 2007.
“That game was like a movie,” Dennis said. “It was super cool to be a part of. I was literally tearing up because of how proud I was of their resilience and everything we had to persevere through.
“Just so many amazing moments that made me super proud of our team.”
‘BUILD A CULTURE’
When Dennis took hold of Life Christian’s football program in 2022, he knew two things to be certain — that building a new culture from the ground up was in order, and that Boyd was the perfect player and person to build around.
The incoming freshman from Federal Way could have enrolled elsewhere. But he quickly connected with Dennis and head basketball coach Charles Simmons, and shared similar visions of winning. Boyd had found a home at Life Christian instead.
“The kind of athlete that he is? He could’ve gone anywhere in the state,” Dennis said. “To have (the Boyd) family believe in what we’re doing… The whole reason I coach is to help student-athletes strengthen their relationship with Christ. And this was just the perfect place to do that.”
Life Christian endured a winless 2022 campaign in Dennis’ first year, but the same nucleus of varsity starters won seven games in 2023 and returned the program to the state tournament. A year later, their meteoric rise has the Eagles three wins away from a state title.
“That was my vision,” Boyd said. “That was our vision.
“The losses our freshman year helped us as human beings to learn how to lose. So that we could know how to win.”
Dennis, known as the winningest player in college football history, appeared in 46 career games under Pete Carroll at USC (2002-07) and ran for a career-high 661 yards and four touchdowns (five total) in 2003. The gig at Life Christian marks his first time at the helm of a program.
One of his top priorities since taking the job: bringing in a staff to help develop Boyd, the dynamic dual-threat with 31 passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns this fall. Confined to quick throws or run-pass options behind a depleted offensive line for much of his early years, a new-and-improved system and “true passing game” has unleashed the best in their young quarterback (while allowing Dennis to focus on the run game).
“Good experience, a good group of players, and my coaching staff coming in… and I think God is the answer to all of that,” Dennis said. “Just putting the right people in my path.”
Comfortable in the pocket, Boyd carved King’s for six total touchdowns in every way — a poised passer, an agile rusher, and a leader. One assistant said of Boyd: “Video-game stuff.”
In 10 games, Boyd has completed 105 of 146 passes (72 percent) for 2,101 yards and 31 touchdowns, adding 698 rushing yards and eight scores on 78 carries. On defense, he’s tackled 16 (3 TFL) with two interceptions at cornerback.
“He’s keeping his eyes downfield,” Dennis said. “Before, teams (thought) he wouldn’t be able to dissect the defense. Now… it’s dangerous.”
Any quarterbacks he’s modeling himself after? Boyd quickly named Washington Commanders rookie QB and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels.
He smiled. “A lot of the coaches say I play like him.”
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
An Eagles defense that shut out four straight opponents from Weeks 3-6 isn’t happy with last weekend’s win, allowing 41 points and failing to force a single King’s stop.
“They’re pissed,” Dennis said. “Our defense has been holding us down all season… and we owe them for that Enumclaw game, being shut out (27-0). All of the opportunities they gave us, we owe them a game like that to keep their spirits up.
“They want to play really well.”
And there’s unfinished business waiting for Life Christian in the 1A quarterfinals Saturday night: No. 2 Seton Catholic hosts the No. 7 Eagles at Doc Harris Stadium in Camas, clashing for a third consecutive season (first in the postseason).
Dennis wanted to schedule King’s and Seton Catholic for early, non-league matchups. Turns out, he got them both after all.
The first two results with Seton Catholic weren’t pretty. The Cougars rolled at home in 2022, 46-15, and won last year’s rematch in comeback fashion, 53-34.
“I’ve been waiting for this one since freshman year,” Boyd said. “They blew us out. We were at their house and they blew us out.
“They didn’t let go of the gas one bit. … There’s revenge, for sure.”
