Eagles Steamrolled by Catholic in Season Opener

After decades of playing their home games at Wade Black Norton Field, Alabama Christian Academy posted a surprising and unexplained message, on August 2nd, telling of plans to move its home games to the campus of Faulkner University. Seventeen seniors began their final year on a new field and although the surroundings were different, the opponent was very familiar. The Eagles began playing Catholic in 1974, the program’s first year, and the two schools were meeting for the forty-second time Friday night. Although ACA led the all-time series 23-18, the Knights had won the last four meetings.

Once the visitors got their offense clicking, Catholic scored the most points ever in the series in a 61-7 dismantling of the Eagles. After being kept off the board on their first drive, the Knights scored touchdowns on all nine remaining drives. ACA’s lone score came after the game was decided as Corey Landers raced down the left sideline on a 78-yard romp with 7:37 remaining in the contest.

Landers turned in a solid performance despite a tough night for the offense as he finished the game with 146 yards on 17 attempts and had the team’s only reception. Otasowie Dion finished with 46 yards on nine carries. On defense, William Milner led the team with seven tackles while Preston Hicks added five of his own. Dion and Avery Stuart both had three tackles.