No current player was alive the last time ACA and Highland Home matched up in 1999 as the rivalry was renewed Friday night. The Flying Squadron had won nine of the twelve meetings and the last seven overall in the series. The Eagles looked to improve from last week’s performance and end Highland Home’s winning streak.
The Eagles chose to go on offense after they won the toss and immediately set the tone for the game. Coach Nate Sanford commented on the mind set of his team, stating, “We came out on our business tonight in all three phases of the game. Demari Moore got us started off with another big kick return and Jalen Clark did a great job of running the offense and making big plays.” Coach Sanford was equally pleased with the defense, saying, “We had four takeaways on defense and that’s a welcome sign. Highland Home had several weapons on offense and those turnovers helped neutralize their attack. I’m proud of our boys!”
Coach Sanford congratulates the offense after a score.
After Moore’s 56 yard opening kickoff return, the Eagles had a short field to work and the offense scored quickly. Jalen Clark contributed to all 34 yards of the drive, rushing for 25 yards and throwing for nine more, and scored on a three yard run to put the Eagles up 6-0. Aaron Treubig hit the first of his seven extra points to make it 7-0. Treubig’s seven extra points ties for the second most made in a game in school history. The defense stepped up and recovered the first of four fumbles on the Squadron’s first drive as Kyle Jackson pounced on the ball in Highland Home territory. In what would become a familiar theme, ACA began a drive with very good field position. After an incomplete pass, the Eagles scored on the second play of the drive as Jalen Clark raced 39 yards for his second score of the night for a 14-0 lead. Alabama Christian’s defense rose up again and stopped Highland Home on a fourth and one as Miller McCarthy and Jack Thomas stuffed the running play for a three yard loss. Everyone in the stadium thought Demari Moore scored the third touchdown of the night for the Eagles on a beautiful screen pass down the left sideline. However, the official on the sideline marked him out at the one yard line and Jalen Clark scored on the next play for his third touchdown of the quarter.
Jalen Clark rushes 39 yards through the defense for a touchdown.
The second quarter brought more of the same for the Squadron defense as Jalen Clark bolted up the middle for a 50 yard touchdown run, his fourth of the night, on the second play of the quarter. Clark would finish the night with 147 yards on 14 carries and became the seventh player in program history to have four rushing touchdowns in a game. After both teams failed to score on their next possession, Miller McCarthy forced another Highland Home fumble and Trey Schlemmer recovered the ball on the Flying Squadron’s 24 yard line. Garrett Weathers caught two Clark passes to cover all 24 yards of the drive, the last 13 on an incredible catch in the back of the end zone to build a commanding 35-0 lead. ACA’s offense scored on five of their six possessions of the first half. Highland Home showed some signs of life with a late score in the quarter and the Eagles took a 35-6 lead into halftime.
Trey Schlemmer celebrates another fumble recovery for the Eagle defense.
The Eagles did not score in the third quarter, but the defense did recover another fumble as Corey Landers picked off the ball in the air as the Highland Home runner lost control of it. Highland Home scored one touchdown in the quarter to cut the lead to 35-14 entering the fourth quarter. ACA opened the quarter with a 30 yard strike from Jalen Clark to Hayes Hunt which set up the Eagles with a first and goal at the nine yard line. Hunt caught his second ball of the night for a touchdown on the next play to extend the lead to 42-14. Clark threw for 120 yards on the night and two touchdowns completing eight passes on fourteen attempts. On the first play of the next Highland Home drive, Otasowie Dion caused the fourth turnover of the night and gave the offense the ball on its opponent’s 33 yard line. Three plays later, Dion finished the Eagle drive with a five yard touchdown run to make the score 49-14. Highland Home scored two touchdowns to close the gap to 49-28 in the fourth guarter as ACA was able to let a lot of underclassmen gain valuable playing experience in a varsity game.
Otasowie Dion takes the handoff from Jalen Clark on his way to a fourth quarter touchdown.
Jalen Clark ended the night with 267 yards of total offense and accounted for six, four on the ground and two in the air, of the team’s seven touchdowns. Corey Landers finished the night with 61 yards on 11 carries and Otasowie Dion added 39 yards on five carries and a touchdown. Preston Hicks led the receiving corps with three receptions for 31 yards. Hayes Hunt had two catches for 39 and a score and Garrett Weathers added two more receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Miller McCarthy led a ferocious defensive effort with 15 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Grant Sutton added seven tackles and also had a sack and a forced fumble. Otasowie Dion and Sanders Manning each contributed seven tackles.
Next week, the Eagles (1-1) open Area play with a visit to Saint James. Thank you to Leah Hunt for providing the fabulous pictures.