In a contest that would test the Alabama Christian football team, Trinity took an early lead and blew out the Eagles late in a 38-6 final score. ACA committed two turnovers in their first four offensive snaps to make the task even more difficult. The first Eagle miscue set up the visitors at the ACA 16 yard line. The Wildcats scored four plays later for the early advantage. The defense kept Trinity out of the end zone after the second turnover as the Wildcats turned it over on downs.
The ensuing series saw Alabama Christian put together the first of two long, methodical drives. ACA ran the ball twelve consecutive times before being held on a 4th and 1. The fourth down opportunity was set up by a pass interference call against Trinity on a 4th and 16 on the previous play. The drive took just over seven minutes and gave the defense a much needed break. After the teams exchanged punts, Trinity scored for the second time in the half on a quick 4-play 63-yard drive to lead 14-0 with 7:12 left in the first half.
Amazingly, that was the last touch for the Wildcat offense of the half. ACA marched the full length of the field as they used all of the clock. Unfortunately, the offense was stopped inside the Wildcat one-yard line as the clock hit zero. David Ortiz-Ramirez touched the ball on the first six plays of the drive (five runs and a catch) for 22 yards to set up a first down at the Trinity 49-yard line. Over the next five plays, ACA mixed the pass and run and forced a timeout from Trinity with 1:13 left in the half as the offense faced a 2nd and 2 from the 13-yard line. AC Walters picked up seven yards on the next play for a 1st and goal at the six. Earlier in the half, ACA was forced to use two timeouts due to misalignment on special teams and defense which came back to haunt them in the closing moments of the half. After Otriz-Ramirez was stopped on second down, ACA had to use their last timeout. Coach Michael Summers started calling timeout with about 28 seconds left, but no official acknowledged him until 17 seconds left. With no timeouts, the offense gambled and tried to run it in on 3rd down, but were held short at the goal line. As the pile broke up slowly, the clock ran out in the first half.
Despite the disappointing end to the half, ACA got the ball to start the second half and had a chance to cut the lead to one score. Instead, the Eagles lost yards over three plays and kicked the ball to its opponent. Trinity kicked a field goal on its first drive of the half to stretch the lead to 17-0 with 6:10 left in the third. ACA went three and out on its next two drives and Trinity took a 24-0 lead at the end of the quarter with a fifty yard touchdown pass. The only score for Alabama Christian was delivered by AC Walters as he returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards through the Wildcat special teams. Trinity led 24-6 after three periods.
If anyone thought Trinity would take their foot off the gas with a commanding lead in the fourth quarter, they would not have been more wrong. In fact, the Wildcat offense seemed even more aggressive as they looked to run up the score. Trinity passed on eight of the next fourteen snaps to extend the lead to 38-6. Finally, as ACA committed its fourth turnover of the night with 2:59 left in the game, the Wildcats put in their offensive subs.
William Milner led the defense with 12 tackles. The senior linebacker is averaging almost 10 tackles per game so far this season. Jaylan McCovery, Lane Smith and AC Walters each finished with five tackles. On offense, David Ortiz-Ramirez finished with 92 yards on 21 carries while Walters added 60 yards rushing and 31 yards passing. Bryant Swindle was the favorite receiver with three catches for 21 yards.
Next week Alabama Christian (1-2, 0-1) travels to York, AL to play Area opponent Sumter Centra (2-1, 1-1).