A magnificent season came to an end Friday night as ACA fell to American Christian, 38-7, in the quarterfinals of the State playoffs. Although tonight didn’t end the way the Eagles had hoped, they can hold their heads high and be proud of their accomplishments this year. The 2020 team tied the record for most wins in a season (10), longest winning streak (8) and advanced to the quarterfinals of the State playoffs for just the fourth time in program history.
American Christian won the toss and took the ball to open the game. After getting the ball on the Eagle 48 yard line, the Patriots scored in eight plays to take an early 7-0 lead. ACA responded and methodically drove the ball down the field, running clock and keeping the Patriot offense on the sidelines. The march covered 69 yards over 13 plays and ate up 7:49 of the first quarter clock. The offense converted two third downs and Otasowie Dion scored from eight yards away on another with 54.1 seconds left in the opening period to tie the game, 7-7.
The second quarter began with the Eagles defense forcing a punt from American Christian. The key play of the series was a third down sack by senior Will Wright who overpowered the Patriot lineman for the eleven yard loss. ACA converted one fourth down on the next drive, but could not convert a second and turned the ball over on downs at the Patriot 39 yard line. American Christian kicked a 41 yard field goal on its next possession with 2:04 remaining in the half to take a 10-7 lead. As the Eagles tried to score late in the half, a holding penalty derailed the drive and after a 15 yard punt, the Patriots took over at midfield with only 32.8 seconds left in the second quarter. Unfortunately, that was more than enough time for a score. American Christian scored on the first play of the possession and took a 17-7 lead into the half. The late score seemed to turn the tide of the game.
Alabama Christian received the second half kickoff and hoped to get back in the game with a score on its opening drive. The Eagles picked up a couple of first downs and drove the ball to the American Christian 39 yard line. On 1st and 10 from there, Demari Moore appeared to give ACA the score they needed, but a holding call on the play negated the touchdown. Two plays later, Jalen Clark was sacked and the offense eventually had to punt the ball to the Patriots. American Christian left no doubt as to the outcome of the contest as they marched 69 yards in eight plays for a 24-7 advantage with 2:38 left in the third. American Christian would go on to score on its next two possessions of the half on drives of 72 and 41 yards, respectively. The last score came with 9:18 left in the game and gave the Patriots a commanding 38-7 lead. Over that same time, ACA picked up only one first down in three possessions as each drive ended with a punt. The offense did give one last effort at the end of the game as they drove 65 yards in 11 plays but the game ended with the ball on the American Christian one yard line.
Miller McCarthy, as he has done all year, led the defense with nine tackles and Jack Thomas had seven tackles. Demari Moore had four tackles while Otasowie Dion, Khalil Jackson and Trey Schlemmer each had three tackles.
Jalen Clark ended the night completing 14 passes on 19 attempts for 90 yards. Corey Landers led the Eagles in rushing with 64 yards on 14 carries while Otasowie Dion had 54 yards on six carries and a touchdown. TJ Silmon led the receivers with three catches for 25 yards while Corey Landers had three receptions for 19 yards and Preston Hicks added three catches for eight yards. Hayes Hunt ended the game with two catches for 23 yards.