“What a game!! What a great game!!” Those words echo through the minds of the ACA faithful who were present for the game at Southside-Selma on Friday night. The PA announcer drilled it into the heads of the crowd constantly throughout the first half. As the Eagles pulled away in the third period, the phrase was heard less frequently and by the fourth, the phrase had been retired for the evening.
ACA took care of business and secured the number three seed in the Region with a 56-38 defeat of the home-standing Panthers. The team’s sixth win of the season ensures a winning record for the fourth consecutive year.
New daddy, Coach Dockins prepares for the game.
The Eagles got the ball first and scored the game’s first points, but the drive was far from smooth. Corey Landers converted a 4th and 5 with a six-yard run and bolted 40 yards on a 3rd and 15 to keep the drive going. On 3rd and goal from the six, Hayes Hunt directed Otasowie Dion to an open spot in the end zone and completed the pass for a 7-0 lead. The defense looked good on the first two plays of the Southside possession as the home team faced a 3rd and 15 from their own 41-yard line. The Panthers proved they were capable of the big play as a middle receiver screen went all the way for a score and an 8-7 lead. ACA had the ball for two more possessions in the first quarter but lost ten yards combined on the two drives. Sandwiched between those two drives, the defense forced a turnover as Preston Hicks recovered a fumble at the Eagle 46-yard line.
Hayes Hunt points Otasowie Dion open in the end zone.
Blake Shaw ended the Panther’s first drive of the second period with a third down sack to give the ball back to the offense. Alabama Christian found some rhythm and drove 74 yards in 11 plays in a little over four minutes to recapture the lead, 14-8. Otasowie Dion converted two third downs with his legs and the drive ended with a 29-yard pass from Hayes Hunt to Avery Stuart to grab the lead for good. The defense stiffened as AC Walters broke up a pass and Shaw and Brady Smith combined for a sack to force a punt with 3:29 left in the half. That was more than enough time for the offense as Hunt hit a wide-open Preston Hicks in the middle of the field for a 43-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive. ACA went into the half with a 21-8 advantage.
Brady Smith and Blake Shaw pressure the Southside quarterback.
Although the Eagles kicked off to start the second half, the defense put points on the board to extend the lead to 28-8. On the third play of the quarter, Preston Hicks worked the tip drill to perfection as he intercepted the carom and raced 46 yards down the right sideline for the touchdown. The defense kept up the pressure as Corey Landers and Otasowie Dion both broke up passes on Southside’s next drive. On fourth down, ACA got a piece of the punt and David Ortiz-Ramirez recovered the ball on the Panther 37-yard line. Hunt and Stuart hooked up again two plays later for a 25-yard score and a 35-8 cushion. The home team tried to stay in the game with a 50-yard run around the right end by the quarterback to cut the lead to 35-14 with 7:54 left in the third.
Preston Hicks races down the sideline for a touchdown after an interception.
Alabama Christian minimized any momentum from the home team as Hayes Hunt went 4 for 4 on the next drive including a 42-yard bomb to Preston Hicks to move the score to 42-14. The touchdown toss was Hunt’s fifth of the night, which tied his own record for most TD passes in a game and was his 28th of the season which broke his record from last year for most TD passes in a season. Southside found its offense in the second half and matched ACA score for score over the final twenty minutes of the game. The Panthers closed out the scoring in the third quarter with a two-yard run and made the score 42-22.
Hunt and Hicks celebrate a third quarter touchdown connection.
As the final period started, the offense made a concerted effort to feed Corey Landers the ball and the senior back ate up time and yards against Southside. On the first drive of the quarter, Landers carried six straight plays that covered 64 yards and culminated with a five-yard scoring run to stretch the lead to 49-22. The Panthers answered with a nine-play 51-yard drive scoring march that cut the score to 49-30. Once again the offense hitched its wagon to Landers who ran the ball on three consecutive plays for 54 yards to run the score to 56-30 after his 15-yard score with 1:47 left in the game. Southside answered one last time as their talented receiver took a swing pass and weaved his way through the entire defense on a 72-yard trek with 37 seconds left in the contest. The touchdown finished the scoring for the night and the Eagles prevailed 56-38.
Corey Landers runs around left end in the fourth quarter.
Hayes Hunt finished the night with 15 completions on 23 attempts for 206 yards and five touchdowns. Avery Stuart was Hunt’s favorite target with a team-high five receptions for 69 yards and two scores. Preston Hicks finished with three catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns while Otasowie Dion had three grabs for 22 yards and a score. Corey Landers dominated on the ground with 164 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns.
Blake Shaw and friends stop the Panther runner.
Defensively, William Milner and Blake Shaw led the team with ten tackles each. Otasowie Dion and Josh Kreitz each had four tackles. Shaw and Brady Smith each had a sack while Preston Hicks had a fumble recovery and an interception for a touchdown on the night.
The Eagles close out the regular season next week as they travel south to Bayside Academy.