The Academy football team traveled to Milan, Ohio, to play the Edison Chargers in the first round of the Division 5, Region 18 playoffs. Unfortunately, the Vikings fell to the Chargers in a hard fought 30-14 loss.
Playing in front of its home crowd, Edison started the game with lots of energy. After stopping the Vikes offense on its first possession, the Chargers got the ball with good field position and wasted no time in capitalizing as they rushed for a 38-yard touchdown on its third play from scrimmage.
But the Vikings did not back down as senior quarterback Nick Stringer orchestrated a long drive, capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior Herman Moultrie. Edison’s ensuing drive resulted in a field goal, so the Vikes offense retook the field down 10-7.
The Vikings did not have a response this time as they punted the ball back to the Chargers. Edison continued to carve up Academy’s defense, immediately driving down the field and scoring on a 5-yard run.
After a missed extra point, the Vikes offense looked to reduce the 16-7 deficit before the half. Instead, the Chargers intercepted a pass from Stringer and took over deep in Academy territory. On the very next play, Edison lost possession, as the Vikes jumped on a Chargers’ fumble.
The Vikes marched down the field, but a missed field goal left them with no points to show for it. The Chargers offense couldn’t score either, so the Vikings had one more chance to tighten the score before halftime.
This time they cashed in, and Stringer threw a 35-yard touchdown to junior speedster Jerome Buckner. The two teams headed to the locker room with Edison holding a 16-14 lead.
This was close as the Vikes would get, however, as the Chargers’ defense put the clamps on CA’s offense in the second half. Additionally, Edison began the third quarter with a 17-yard touchdown run to extend to a 23-14 lead. The Vikings’ offense was held relatively quiet for the rest of the quarter, for they could not cut into Edison’s lead. The Chargers eventually tacked on another touchdown for good measure, securing a trip to the second round of the playoffs.
Despite a disappointing first round exit from tournament play, it was a great season for the Vikings. They finished 8-3 and played in the school’s first playoff game in over a decade. It will be tough for the Vikes to recover from this graduating senior class as the 11 players leaving enacted a huge role in the team’s success this year.
Returning is Academy’s leading rusher Moultrie and leading receiver Buckner. Also, a promising sophomore class and solid freshmen will continue to improve and develop into key players for Academy in the future. It was a great year for the Vikes, and they will look to make a run at another playoff berth next season.
