PANAMA CITY, FL – Midlands STEM Charter School senior Caleb Carter, of Winnsboro, and Blythewood residents Sean McNulty and James Aschleman, who play for the Providence Athletic Club (PAC) Panthers homeschool 8-man football team, recently won the National High School Tournament (NHFA) 8-Man Football National Title in Panama City, FL.
PAC finished their regular season with an 11-1 record, including wins over defending SCISA 8-man State champions Jefferson Davis Academy and NHFA #2 nationally ranked Freedom Cowboys. They finished undefeated in conference and were the regular season champions in the Southeastern Independent Football Association (SIFA).The Panthers’ only loss was to SCISA 3A powerhouse Northside Christian Academy on a last second failed 2-point conversion 14-12.
PAC went on to win the (SIFA) playoff championship with a 44-6 win over the Coastal Hurricanes and a 42-0 win over the Georgia School for Innovation & Classics.
After finishing the season ranked #1 in the NHFA national rankings, PAC qualified for the NHFA national tournament in Panama City, FL. PAC squared off against the Tennessee Heat and defeated them 30-23 in a hard-fought battle.
PAC then faced the Freedom Cowboys for the National Championship in a rematch of the season opener. After finishing regulation tied at 28-28, the national championship moved into overtime. The Freedom Cowboys scored a touchdown in overtime but missed the 2-point conversion to move ahead 34-28. PAC scored a touchdown while facing fourth and goal to tie the game at 34. McNulty scored the game winning 2-point conversion to finish put PAC ahead 36-34 and clinch their first NHFA 8 Man Football National Championship.
McNulty and Carter were both also selected as 8 Man football All-Americans and will play in the All-American Bowl in Gatlinburg, Tenn next month.
