After tying the record for most points in a game with 64 last week against Wicksburg, the Eagles outdid themselves and hung 71 on Slocomb Friday night in a high scoring 71-38 contest. The victory coupled with a Wicksburg loss to Trinity, secured Alabama Christian a playoff spot for the ninth year in a row. Tyson Summers set a new record with nine extra points made on the night while David Ortiz-Ramirez tied Courtney Moss’ mark of five rushing touchdowns in a game, all in the first half. The senior back had a sixth to start the second half, but it was called back on a holding penalty. Without the running clock for the entire second half, there is no telling what other records might have been set.
Slocomb started the game with the ball and tried to throw on three consecutive plays. A third down sack by Micah Merritt put the Red Tops in a 4th and 25 predicament on their own 12-yard line. A good punt return by Jackson Burton gave the offense great field position on Slocomb’s 27-yard line. David Ortiz-Ramirez gave a glimpse of the kind of night he was about to have as he raced for a score on the first play of the drive (one carry, one touchdown) and a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. The home team picked up a first down on its second drive, but could not sustain the drive. On fourth down, Slocomb lined up like they would go for it, but the quarterback punted out of the formation and almost had it blocked. The second drive was the AC Walters show as he moved the Eagles 58 yards in three plays on one rush and two receptions. At the Red Top 28-yard line, it was time for Ortiz-Ramirez again as he scored his second touchdown of the period (two carries, two touchdowns) to extend the lead to 14-0 midway through the first. The home team got on track in its third drive as they scored on a two-play, 74-yard drive to cut the score to 14-8 with 5:22 left in the quarter.
Despite the quick score by the offense, Slocomb still had no answer for the ACA offense and you know who, David Ortiz-Ramirez. On a 3rd and 4 from the Red Tops 43-yard line, the senior struck again (four carries, three touchdowns) as he outraced the defense for the touchdown and a 22-8 lead with still 3:49 left in the opening quarter. The game was getting the feel of a shootout as Slocomb scored on a long third down play to cut the lead to 22-14. If you thought the scoring was over for the first period with just 1:27 left, you would be wrong. That man struck again for a fourth time (five carries, four touchdowns) on a 53-yard jaunt on the second play of the possession to make the score 29-14 at the end of the first.
The action in the second period started just as frantically as the first had been. On the second play of the quarter, Ty’Darius Moore blocked another quarterback punt attempt and the ball was scooped up by Micah Merritt and returned 24 yards for a score and a 36-14 cushion. Not to be outdone, Slocomb scored on its first play of the next possession on a 75-yard run by the quarterback to make the score 36-22. Both teams had already scored in the quarter just 38 seconds in. Teilan Long’s 24 yard kick return set up ACA on Slocomb’s side of the field. On the second play of the drive Christian Snipes and AC Walters hooked up on a 34-yard touchdown pass for a 43-22 lead with 10:27 left in the half. As Slocomb faced a fourth down, they lined up in a more conventional punt formation, but decided to fake the punt and try for the first down. Micah Merritt chased the punter for what seemed like forever, but the pass fell incomplete to give the ball back to ACA. After a 17-yard pass to Walters, David Ortiz-Ramirez took center stage again. The back’s fifth touchdown of the night (six carries, five touchdowns) came from 39 yards out and gave the Eagles a 50-22 lead with 6:57 left in the half. The defense got the ball back quickly with a three and out, highlighted by a tackle for loss on third down by Micah Merritt. With a big lead, the offense throttled down and the Eagles marched to the Red Tops 21-yard line, but came up empty after a missed field goal. On the very next play, Levi Summers intercepted a pass to give the offense one last chance to score. Alabama Christian was unable to score on their final drive and went to the locker room with a 50-22 lead.
To the surprise of the fans, a running clock was agreed to for the entire second half. On the first play of the half, David Ortiz-Ramirez ran 50 yards for the apparent record breaking score, but a flag at the line of scrimmage squelched the moment. A holding call nullified the score and the record. Undeterred, the offense scored on the next play as Snipes to Walters struck again on a 60-yard score and a 57-22 lead. On the very next play for Slocomb, TJ Merritt stepped in front of a receiver for an interception and returned it 15 yards for a score that tied the school mark for most points in a game. Now, the question became would ACA score at least one more time with a running clock and a huge lead. The Eagles started to substitute freely at this point to allow some younger players some game experience. Slocomb drove the field and scored to cut the score to 64-30. The clock continued to run during the two-point conversion attempt by the home team. In fact, everytime the clock operator stopped it, the white hat would signal for him to keep it running.
ACA kept the ball on the ground with a steady dose of Ethan Dabney who gained 23 yards on four carries to set the ball on the Eagles 42-yard line. Teilan Long came in to spell Dabney on third down and help set the new scoring record as he went around right end on a 58-yard touchdown run and a 71-30 lead. With a game almost entirely of backups, Slocomb scored one last time with 3:32 left in the game for the final margin of 71-38. Because the clock ran during the conversion and before the kickoff, Alabama Christian only had to kneel one time in Victory formation before the final horn went off.
David Ortiz-Ramirez’s outstanding night was the highlight of the game as he finished with 197 yards on seven carries and five touchdowns. Teilan Long was the second leading rusher as he had 58 yards on one carry and a score. Christian Snipes was 10 of 16 for 198 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite receiver of the night was AC Walters who had 6 receptions for 172 yards and two scores. On defense, Jackson Burton and Levi Summers led with six tackles apiece. Mekhi Gardner finished with five tackles. Summer and TJ Merritt both had interceptions.
Alabama Christian takes on MA next week in the final home game of the regular season.