A year after Alabama Christian eliminated Jacksonville from the playoffs, the Golden Eagles returned the favor with a 42-21 win over ACA Friday night. The visiting Eagles led 21-14 early in the third period, but Jacksonville responded with the last 28 points scored, doubling up ACA. Despite the loss, Michael Summers first year as head coach was a success and the team’s 7-4 record was the third best record for a coach in his first year in program history.
Jacksonville received the opening kickoff and after picking up one first down was forced to punt thanks to a third down sack by Donovan Emerson. Hayes Hunt helped the Eagles to two first downs on their first drive on a 16-yard pass to Garrett Weathers and a 14-yard scramble, on 3rd and 14, as the junior dove for the yard marker. The offense could move no further and were forced to punt four plays later. Jacksonville opened the scoring on their second possession of the game as the Golden Eagles converted a 3rd and 21 with a 39-yard pass completion, despite an obvious missed holding call on the offense. The Jacksonville quarterback bought himself some time by scrambling around and found his receiver deep down the field, in what would be a theme for the rest of the night, ACA responded quickly as Otasowie Dion bolted by the defense for a 59-yard touchdown run to tie the score, 7-7, with just 10.8 seconds left in the first quarter.
Jack Thomas and Corey Landers gang up on the Jacksonville back.
The Eagle defense forced a three and out to start the second period as Corey Landers and Jack Thomas combined to bring the Jacksonville ball carrier down behind the line of scrimmage on first down. ACA’s offense was clicking as Otasowie Dion (29) and Landers (21) moved the ball 50 yards in two plays down to the Jacksonville 24 yard line. Two plays later, Trey Schlemmer (or as the Jacksonville announcer would say, Norman Trey Schlemmer the third) caught a Hayes Hunt pass that covered 24 yards that gave Alabama Christian its first lead of the game, 14-7. The home team converted three third downs on their next drive and tied the game with 5:41 left in the half. Both teams had the ball two more times before halftime, but were unable to produce any points. Senior D’Andre Sneed ended one of the Golden Eagle drives with an interception.
Trey Schlemmer hauls in a touchdown pass.
Corey Landers opened the second half with carries on four of the five plays it took the offense to take the lead for the second time on the night. Landers gained 60 yards on the drive that ended with a three-yard scoring run. Jacksonville also scored on their first drive as they covered 55 yards in seven plays to pull even with ACA. Otasowie Dion raced 28 yards on the first play of the next drive and it looked like the second half may turn into a shootout. However, the Eagles were backed up on the next play due to a holding call and were not able to recover. After a punt, the home team drove 78 yards in 11 plays and overcame two penalties to take the lead for good with 18.9 seconds left in the third quarter.
On the first drive of the final quarter, Corey Landers ran the ball on six consecutive plays and gained 30 yards down to the Golden Eagle 25 yard line. On first down, the Eagles turned the ball over on an interception as the deep pass came up short and was picked off with 8:38 left in the game. With momentum on their side, Jacksonville controlled the rest of the game. Backed up on their own three yard line after the interception, the Golden Eagles marched 97 yards in 12 plays to take a 35-21 lead. The touchdown came on a 34-yard pass play as Jacksonville faced a 3rd and 16. On the first play of the next drive, ACA tried their favorite trick play, but fumbled the ball away on the failed hook and ladder. Jacksonville scored on the next play with another long pass and the lead extended to 42-21. Alabama Christian fumbled the ensuing kickoff to give the ball back to Jacksonville for the third time in a row. Neither team scored over the final three minutes and the ACA season came to a close.
Corey Landers led the team with 120 yards rushing on 16 carries with a touchdown while teammate Otasowie Dion finished with 118 yards on five attempts and a score. Hayes Hunt threw for 55 yards as he completed nine passes on fifteen attempts and a touchdown. Trey Schlemmer had one catch for a score for 24 yards to lead the receivers. Defensively, three seniors stood out as D’Andre Sneed had 14 tackles with a sack and an interception. Jack Thomas tallied 13 tackles while Schlemmer had 12 tackles. Dion, Donovan Emerson and Joshua Kreitz each had sacks on the night.
A special thank you to Leah Hunt, Richard Peake and Cathy Moorer for allowing me to use their pictures to go along with the stories.