After a disappointing result the previous week against Goshen, Northside Methodist was the tonic to cure the Eagles ailments. ACA controlled the game from the outset in a crushing 56-7 defeat of the home standing Knights. The whole organization deserved congratulations for the bounce back win. The players had a good week of practice and both coordinators called great games for their respective units.
Jackson Burton-Elahiyan leaves the Northside defensive back helpless.
The offense was on a mission to feature the pass on Thursday night and the first series was just a taste of the success Christian Snipes would have through the air. ACA took the opening kickoff and marched 68 yards in 10 plays while taking almost half of the quarter. Snipes completed all seven passes on the drive that ended with Jackson Burton-Elahiyan “Mossing” a defensive back for the touchdown. Northside picked up a first down on their first possession, but Mekhi Gardner and Micah Merritt combined on a third down tackle to make sure they didn’t get a second one. The second series for Alabama Christian didn’t appear to be anything special as they faced a 3rd and 9 from their own 28-yard line, but looks can be deceiving. Snipes uncorked a bomb down the right sideline to a streaking AC Walters for a 72-yard bolt of lightning and a 14-0 lead with just 26 seconds left in the first period. What we didn’t know at the time is that this would be the first of many lightning strikes.
The offense prepares for the snap on the first drive of the game.
On the first play of the second quarter, Jaydon McElrath took the ball from the Northside Methodist running back and raced 30 yards for a score and a three touchdown lead. Micah Merritt’s sack on the next Knight drive forced a punt and gave the ball back to the quick strike ACA offense. On the second play of the drive, Christian Snipes went deep again and connected with David Ortiz-Ramirez for a 60-yard score and a 28-0 advantage with 9:32 left in the half. With such a large deficit the Knight offense tried to pass the ball, but had no success and took very little time off the clock as well. Alabama Christian stretched the lead to 35-0 on an 18-yard touchdown reception by Bryant Swindle.
Bryson Dabney makes an open field tackle.
The Eagles got the ball back with 3:58 left in the second and once again struck quickly. It took just 50 seconds to make it 42-0 as Christian Snipes and David Ortiz-Ramirez hooked up again on a 71-yard bomb. Northside Methodist finally found some success and scored on a short pass that turned into a 56-yard score. With 51 seconds left in the half, it looked as if the Knights had slowed the momentum of the visitors. Ortiz-Ramirez made any positive vibes disappear as he raced 80 yards for another touchdown to end the scoring in the half. ACA led 49-7 at the break.
AC Walters outraces the defense to the end zone.
Alabama Christian started to substitute freely in the second half and the Knights moved the ball to the ACA side of the field. However, TJ Merritt intercepted a pressured quarterback and raced 70 yards for the second defensive touchdown of the night. The Eagles continued to substitute heavily and many young players gained valuable experience in the impressive win.
David Ortiz-Ramirez end the first half in style.
Although he did not play in the second half, Christian Snipes had one of the best halves by a quarterback in program history as he finished 14 of 17 for 292 yards and five touchdowns. David Ortiz-Ramirez became the first back with over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game as he finished with 117 and 144, respectively. Jackson Burton led all receivers with five receptions for 43 yards while Bryant Swindle had 3 catches for 40 yards and AC Walters had 2 catches for 65 yards. All four receivers who caught a pass had touchdown receptions. On defense, Mekhi Gardner and Micah Merritt led the way with seven tackles each while three Eagles, Jordan Sanders, Cam Sutton, and Bryson Dabney, each had four tackles.
Next week, ACA travels across town to visit Trinity in an important Region game.