The 50th edition of Alabama Christian football started in grand fashion with a thrilling 30-26 defeat of Escambia County. The program’s first coach, Mike Lusk and a few of his players from the first team were the honorary captains in the season opener. At times the outcome looked bleak, but the Blue Devils left the door open time and again as they committed 19 penalties on the night. In the end, the Eagles found a way as a young defense made stops at the end of the game when it was needed most.
The honorary captains are introduced before the game.
The start of the game couldn’t have been better for the home team. After David Ortiz-Ramirez returned the opening kickoff 21 yards to the Eagle 45-yard line, the offense put together a 10-play drive for the first points of the game. On 3rd and goal from the two-yard line, ACA lost two yards and looked ready to take the sure points with a 21-yard field goal attempt. Instead, the snap went directly to Christian Snipes who powered in with a four-yard touchdown. It worked so well, they did it again on the extra point and took an 8-0 lead. Little did anyone know, the Eagles would not score again until the fourth quarter. After giving up a first down, the defense stopped the first Blue Devil drive aided by a Jaydon McElrath sack. The first period ended with ACA on the march at their opponent’s 35-yard line with its second drive of the game.
Christian Snipes scrambles for a first down.
Unfortunately, on the second play of the quarter Escambia County intercepted a pass and returned it to the ACA 48-yard line. The defense looked to be off the field again, but a fourth down roughing the passer call kept the Blue Devil drive alive. The visitors drove all the way to the ACA 4-yard line, but a fourth down incomplete pass stopped the drive with 6:32 left in the half. The teams traded punts over the next three possessions and it looked as if the score would still be 8-0 as Escambia took the ball on their own 25-yard line with 1:06 left in the half. Two straight false start penalties put them 85 yards away from the end zone. In two plays, it all changed. First, the Blue Devils raced around the right side for a 50-yard gain followed by a 35-yard jaunt to the end zone. ACA went to the locker room at the half with an 8-6 lead, but Escambia County had to be feeling good about the close score.
Jaydon McElrath makes a tackle in the open field.
The Blue Devils were not fooled by the pooch kick to start the second half as they returned it to the Eagle 25-yard line. Despite the great field position, Jackson Burton and TJ Merritt combined on a fourth down stop to turn Escambia County away. ACA did nothing with their first drive of the half and inexplicably tried a fake punt at their own 13-yard line. The punter must have thought he saw something, but nothing was there and the Blue Devils took over deep in ACA territory for the second drive in a row. The defense could not hold the visitors out this time and the Blue Devils took a 12-8 lead with 7:42 left in the third. ACA missed a 37-yard field goal attempt on its next drive and the third quarter ended with Escambia County facing a 1st and 25 after a personal foul. Who knew what was in store heading into the final period?
The defense looks ready to be bring some pressure.
Seemingly backed up and in a bad spot, the Blue Devils scored on the first play of the quarter on a 72-yard pass play to extend the lead to 20-8. The Eagles were not in full panic mode just yet, but there was an uneasiness in the crowd as the Eagles were down two scores. The spark the team had been lacking was provided by David Ortiz-Ramirez as he returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards to the 19-yard line. It was the only time the Blue Devils kicked deep all night. The ball got over the heads of the returners, but once #21 scooped it up, he turned on the burners. ACA cashed in the excellent field position with a five-play scoring drive to cut the score to 15-20. More adventure on the next kickoff as the Escambia County returner first thought about fielding the kick, then decided to let it roll into the end zone. The only problem was, the ball stopped at the two-yard line. As he stood there staring at the ball it looked as if the Eagles were going to get a gift from its opponent. At the last instance, the returner realized what was happening and jumped on the ball. The good news was he didn’t turn the ball over, the bad news was the drive would start at their own two. The defense stiffened and forced a punt from the one-yard line. The kicking game was a struggle for the Blue Devils and the Eagles took advantage at just the right time. Jackson Burton blocked the punt and TJ Merritt picked the ball up and stepped into the end zone for the score. Just like that, ACA led 23-20 with 8:47 left in the game.
TJ Merritt celebrates with teammates after a special teams touchdown.
Escambia County answered with an eight-play drive to retake the lead, 26-23. The score came on a 38-yard run around the right end. With plenty of time, ACA could run their regular offense and not feel hurried. Two David Ortiz-Ramirez runs moved the team to their own 49-yard line. On 2nd and 11, Christian Snipes dropped back to pass and hit Bryant Swindle on a 51-yard scoring play to vault the Eagles back into the lead, 30-26. On the play, Snipes delivered a pump fake that fooled the Blue Devil defensive back badly and proceeded to loft a beautiful pass for the score. Swindle was so wide open when he caught the ball, it looked like social distancing was being practiced on the play. A well designed and executed play at just the right time. With 4:41 still left in the game, the defense would be called on once again. Tyson Summers put the ball in the end zone to force the Devils to start at their own 20. The defense stopped them in four plays and gave the ball back to the offense to close it out. ACA needed just one first down to take all of the time off the clock. Snipes picked it up on a 4th and 1 to ice the game. There is always work to be done to get better and although Friday’s game wasn’t perfect, 1-0 sounds good.
Bryant Swindle races to the end zone for the go ahead score.
Christian Snipes finished the day with 86 yards passing, 65 yards rushing, and accounted for three touchdowns. David Ortiz-Ramirez had 62 yards on 15 carries and added 117 yards in kickoff returns. AC Walters had four catches for 24 yards while Bryant Swindle finished with two catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. Mekhi Gardner led the team with nine tackles while Levi Summers added seven. Jaydon McElrath had six tackles with two sacks followed by Jackson Burton with five tackles and a blocked punt and Micah Merritt with five tackles and a sack.
Alabama Christian travels to Goshen next week in its next contest.