For the past two seasons the winner of the ACA/St James game won the 4A Region 3 title. This year the combatants are 3A schools and, along with Trinity, are the favorites in the Region. A loss for the Eagles would all but assure a road game in the first round of the playoffs, but a win over the Trojans would keep Alabama Christian in the mix to host a first round game. Starting quarterback, Hayes Hunt was unable to play due to injury and the Eagles came up short, 20-35. Despite the loss, ACA showed its toughness and moxie as they kept the game close throughout the second half.
The Trojans won the toss and took the ball down the field on the opening drive to take an early 7-0 lead. ACA’s first possession was a three and out, as it would take the Eagles some time to find its rhythm on offense. St James marched down the field again on its second drive and with 3:08 remaining in the first period scored to take a 14-0 lead. ACA picked up a first down on its second possession as Otasowie Dion ran 12 yards on a 3rd and 1 from ACA’s 35-yard line. The Eagles would eventually punt it back to St James and the opening quarter ended with the home team ahead by two touchdowns.
William Milner brings down the running back.
The ACA defense forced a punt from the Trojans as Otasowie Dion pressured the quarterback on third down to force an incompletion. Alabama Christian picked up a couple of first downs on the next drive as the offense slowly began to gel. As the Eagles punted back to St James one last time in the half, the home team made the most of the opportunity and scored for the third time in four possessions to take a 21-0 lead to the locker room.
The defense gangs up to stop the ball carrier.
The second half began with a bang as Otasowie Dion bolted 65 yards for a score on the third play of the quarter to put the the Eagles on the board. The Trojans were able to answer back on the very next drive with a six-play 55-yard march to stretch the lead back to three touchdowns, 28-7. On the ensuing kickoff it became apparent the official on the ACA sideline was new to the game of football as he missed the kick returner being run into by the opponent before he could catch the ball. The man in stripes had several flags picked up the rest of the half by the head official and seemed to bungle multiple calls. After both teams traded punts, the Eagles scored as Corey Landers found Avery Stuart on a fly pattern for a 23-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-28. As the third period came to a close, ACA trailed by just two scores.
Otasowie Dion looks for an open field against the Trojans.
The Trojans scored to open the final stanza and stretched the advantage back to three scores, 35-14. Alabama Christian responded with its best drive of the night as the offense marched 69 yards in eight plays. The touchdown came on a 4th and 3 at the Trojan 25-yard line as Corey Landers hooked up with Preston Hicks for the score and cut the lead to 20-35. Two plays later, Landers intercepted the Trojan QB to give the ball right back to the Eagles with 5:21 left to play. The offense drove it to the St James 45-yard line, but could go no further and turned the ball over on downs with 2:34 left in the game. St James was able to run out the clock and take home the Region win.
Preston Hicks celebrates with teammates after a score.
Corey Landers played a heroic game as he finished with 114 yards passing with two touchdowns, 72 yards on the ground on 12 carries and added four tackles and an interception on defense. Landers became the first player in school history to reach 500 career rushes on the night. Otasowie Dion led the team in rushing with 118 yards on 10 attempts and a touchdown. Avery Stuart led the receivers with four catches for 56 yards and a score while Preston Hicks had three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, William Milner led the charge with ten tackles followed by Otasowie Dion with seven. Blake Shaw had six tackles and a sack while AC Walters and Avery Stuart both had five tackles.
Next week, Alabama Christian hosts PCA on Senior Night in an important Region tilt.