Alabama Christian clinched a playoff berth for the fourth year in a row as Headland lost to Catholic Thursday night. This marks just the second time in school history for ACA to reach the playoffs in four consecutive years. With a playoff spot locked up, the Eagles looked for a victory over Ashford to secure the third seed in the region. On a muggy night in south Alabama, ACA prevailed 24-6 over the Yellow Jackets and will travel to Hillcrest Evergreen for a first round match up in two weeks.
From the outset, ACA shortened the game with runs and short passes while letting the play clock run down between each play and kept the Ashford offense on the sidelines. The Eagles were able to hold the ball for just over 32 minutes in the contest, which left the Yellow Jackets offense less than 16 minutes to try and put points on the board. Alabama Christian finished the night with 334 yards on offense, 236 on the ground and 98 through the air.
After the Eagle defense forced a three and out on the opening possession of the game, the offense took the field and covered 45 yards in six plays for the first score of the night. Jalen Clark hit Bryan Farrington for an 11 yard touchdown for the early 7-0 lead. Clark would finish the night with an efficient performance, completing 9 of 12 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown.
The defense put the ball back in the offense’s hands with a second consecutive three and out. From there, ACA proceeded to take 7:56 off the clock as they drove 88 yards over 12 plays to take a 14-0 lead. Clark was 3 for 3 for 35 yards on the drive, while Corey Landers completed the march with a 10 yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 14-0. Neither team scored for the remainder of the second quarter and the half ended with the Eagle defense turning the Yellow Jackets away inside its own 10 yard line. Ashford made it as far as ACA’s five yard line, but the defense allowed no yards on the final three plays of the drive to keep the Yellow Jackets scoreless.
Alabama Christian looked to put the game away in the third quarter, hoping to score and take a three score lead. The offense controlled the ball for 4:40 and Cobi Keel delivered a 31 yard field goal to stretch the lead to 17-0. Ashford responded and drove the field, but the Eagles turned them over and downs for the second time. However, just two plays later, the offense coughed the ball up and gave the Yellow Jackets a short field to work with. Ashford scored its lone touchdown of the night in two plays and cut the score to 17-6.
After a second Eagle turnover and another three and out from the defense, ACA scored its last touchdown of the night with a drive that covered 53 yards in six plays and took 3:13 off the fourth quarter clock. Corey Landers carried the ball on the last five plays of the drive and scored his second touchdown of the night on a four yard run to extend the lead to 24-6. Landers would finish the night with 67 yards rushing on 17 attempts and two touchdowns.
The defensive unit was strong all night led by Miller McCarthy with eight tackles. Jack Thomas added six tackles and Kyle Jackson had six tackles with a sack. Jalen Clark led the ground game with 146 yards on 20 carries. Preston Hicks had four receptions for 56 yards and Bryan Farrington had three catches for 22 yards and a touchdown.
The Eagles (5-4) finish the regular season with a trip to Weaver next Friday night.