ACA all but guaranteed a postseason appearance with a punishing 44-14 whooping of PCA Friday night. If the Eagles can win one of their last two Region games, they will make the playoffs for a school record eighth consecutive year. The road win was even more impressive due to the team’s premier offensive weapon, AC Walters, being sidelined for the contest. Several players stepped up on the night to make up for Walters’ absence. The win was Coach Michael Summers 19th at the helm and moved him into third place on the all-time wins list.
Tyson Summers' touch back on the opening kickoff put the Panthers offense in a tough spot to start the night. PCA picked up a couple of first downs on their initial drive, but Ari Bowman intercepted a fourth down pass and paired with a face mask call on his return, gave ACA the ball just twenty-seven yards away from the goal line. Four plays later, Christian Snipes scored the first of his school record five rushing touchdowns for an early 6-0 lead. The Panthers answered with their only score of the first half with a eight-play 80-yard drive to tie the score, 6-6. The quarter ended during Alabama Christian’s second drive.
Last week, ACA showed the ability to put together long drives and keep the ball away from their opponent. The trend continued on the unit’s second drive that lasted over six minutes and covered 59 yards. ACA converted two third downs and a fourth down on the way to a 37-yard field goal from Tyson Summers for a 9-6 lead. PCA looked to have something going on offense on their next drive, but Jaylan McCovery forced a fumble that was recovered by Ari Bowman to give the ball back to the offense with 4:16 left in the half. David Ortiz-Ramirez gashed the defense for 38 yards on the next play and the offense scored three plays later for a 16-6 advantage with 3:18 remaining in the second period. Neither team scored on their last possession of the half which gave ACA a ten-point cushion at the break.
The game was too close to have a shortened-quarter running clock to start the second half, a PCA tradition, but ACA would handle that in the fourth period. David Ortiz-Ramirez ran for 46 yards on the second play of the half to set up a nine yard scoring run by Christian Snipes. ACA led 23-6 just 86 seconds into the third quarter. PCA continued to move the ball between the twenties, but William Milner ended the next drive with a fourth down sack. Two straight pass interference calls against the home team gave Alabama Christian the ball at PCA’s 25-yard line. It took three plays to make the end zone for a commanding 30-6 lead with 5:56 left in the third. Snipes scored again from two yards out for the fourth time. The Panther offensive pattern continued as they drove to the Eagle 19-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs.
David Ortiz-Ramirez delivered a game-long run of 51 yards, his third of more than 35 yards, to give ACA a 37-6 lead with 2:41 left in the third. The drive covered 81 yards in two plays aided by a face mask call against the Panthers. The defense was fired up as they sacked the PCA QB on third and fourth downs after a long kick return put the Panthers deep in ACA territory. Blake Shaw recorded the sack on third while Jalen Flowers and Marlon Matthews turned the trick on fourth down. Unfortunately, the Eagles fumbled and gave the ball back to PCA on the next play.
The turnover proved costly as the Panthers scored and converted a two-point try to cut the lead to 37-14 with 9:41 left in the game. Although ACA got the ball back at midfield after the failed onside kick effort, the offense still ate up over six minutes as they scored the final points of the game. Christian Snipes finished things off with his record tying fifth rushing touchdown of the night. Snipes tied Courtney Moss for the most rushing touchdowns in a game as Moss achieved the feat against Bullock County in 2008. PCA’s last drive and the game ended on a Marlon Matthews sack.
David Ortiz-Ramirez rushed for 207 yards on 18 carries to lead the offense and scored a touchdown. William Milner rushed 7 times for 60 yards while Christian Snipes had 58 yards on 11 attempts and five touchdowns, Snipes finished 4 of 6 for 33 yards in the air connecting one time each with Darrius Gardner, Jackson Burton, TJ Merritt, and Bryant Swindle. Lane Smith led the defense with 12 tackles while WIlliam Milner finished with 10 tackles and a sack. Blake Shaw had six tackles and a sack while five players, Ari Bowman, Jalen Flowers, TJ Merritt, Jaylan McCovery, and Darruis Gardner, all finished with five tackles. Flowers and Marlon Matthews each recorded sacks while Bowman produced an interception and a fumble recovery.
Alabama Christian stays on the road next week with a Region game at Greensboro. A win next week clinches a playoff spot.