The game between ACA and BTW started late and had an hour delay near the end of the first quarter with Alabama Christian leading 14-0, but in the end the Eagles walked away with their second win in a row and moved to 1-0 in the Area. The second, third, and fourth quarters were shortened to ten minutes each, but ACA was able to score three more touchdowns for the 35-6 victory.
Special teams set up the first Eagle touchdown as Avery Stuart blocked a BTW punt and set up the offense on the Golden Eagles’ 18 yard line. Three plays later, Corey Landers scored his first touchdown of the night with a six yard run to give ACA an early 7-0 lead. The defense once again forced a punt after only three BTW snaps to get the ball back to the offense. Like the previous drive, Alabama Christian scored in just three plays this time covering 61 yards. The drive opened with a middle screen from Jalen Clark to Corey Landers that gained 45 yards down to BTW’s 16 yard line. Trey Schlemmer caught a slant pass for 13 yards down to the three yard line on the next play. Clark finished the drive with his legs with a three yard run to stretch the lead to 14-0. BTW faced a third and twelve with 1:58 remaining in the first quarter when the game was delayed due to lightning.
Avery Stuart blocks a first quarter punt.
After the lengthy delay, the Eagle defense continued to impress with their third consecutive three and out to help put the offense back on the field. Corey Landers took the hand off on four straight plays and gained 48 yards, the last three on a touchdown run, to extend the lead to 21-0. Landers would finish the night with six rushes for 54 yards and two touchdowns. Despite an ACA turnover, the defense continued to shine shutting down the BTW offense on every possession. Alabama Christian held the Golden Eagles to ten yards of offense in the first half. The Eagles final score of the half came on a seven play 52 yard drive that ate up the last four minutes of the second quarter. Otasowie Dion got the drive kick started with a 17 yard run for a first down to the BTW 38 yard line. Three plays later, Jalen Clark hit a streaking Avery Stuart on a 32 yard pass play down to the two yard line. Clark completed three of six passes on the night for 90 yards and finished this drive with a four yard run with just 33.7 seconds remaining in the half. ACA headed to the locker room with a 28-0 advantage.
In the second half, the lightning stopped but the rain continued to fall. With a big lead and a wet track the run game was featured for the remainder of the game. The Eagles first possession of the half produced the last score of the evening as Jalen Clark raced through the BTW defense for a 51 yard touchdown run for a commanding 35-0 lead. Clark finished the game with eight carries and gained 62 yards with three touchdowns. ACA had the ball three more times in the half and took time off the clock, but failed to score. BTW scored a late touchdown to make the final score 35-6.
Jett Annis keeps a defender out of the backfield.
Through three quarters, while the starters were in against BTW, the ACA defense allowed just one first down and held the Golden Eagles to 18 yards of total offense. BTW gained zero yards or lost yards on 16 of 25 snaps through the first three quarters. Even with the 80 yard touchdown run given up late in the game, BTW ended the night with 89 yards of offense. Senior Miller McCarthy led the defense with seven tackles. Kyle Jackson ended the night with five tackles and a sack with Jack Thomas adding five tackles. Khalil Jackson and Trey Schlemmer each had four tackles and Donovan Emerson contributed three tackles with a sack.
Alabama Christian (2-1) continues Area play next week with a visit to Dale County.