For three quarters of Friday&squo;s game at Christ Church the Cardinals matched the Cavaliers nearly point for point as the two teams clashed to decide the Region II-A championship.

In fact, Christ Church outscored Landrum by just one point, 29-28, in the first, third and fourth quarters combined.

Unfortunately, it was not nearly as close in the second quarter, which is when the Cavaliers excploded for 36 points en route to a 65-36 win and the region title.

Christ Church, which finished 4-0 in the region and 8-2 overall, also earned the region&squo;s top seed for the playoffs. Landrum, which finished the regular season 3-1 in region and 5-5 overall, gets the region&squo;s second seed and will travel to Bamberg-Ehrhardt Friday for the start of the state playoffs.

Despite coming up short in their quest for a region title, the Cardinals continue to show strong improvement from last year&squo;s two-win season.

Landrum got off to a quick start, taking a 14-10 lead after one quarter and a 21-10 lead midway through the second quarter.

Landrum scored more points&bsp; against Christ Church than any other team this year other than powerhouse Charlotte Latin. The Cardinals&squo; offense also produced the point total on the Cavaliers&squo; home field where Christ Church has only lost twice since 2007.

Unfortunately, Landrum&squo;s defense could not contain Christ Church&squo;s air attack and never narrowed the gap after trailing 46-21 at the half.