Vikes go for a two point conversion. (Muriel Goldfarb’18/Staff)
Enjoying one of the greatest starts in school history, the CA football team’s magical streak came to a halt on Friday, September 15. In a battle of undefeated squads, London defended its home turf and edged out an injury-ridden Vikings team, 38-28.
Playing in front of a raucous home crowd, the Red Raiders struck first. Their star running back, K.J. Price, sliced through the Academy defense, playing without its senior leader John Schiano, and raced to a 77-yard touchdown.
It didn’t take long for London to throw another haymaker. Just minutes later, Price broke loose again, this time sprinting 89 yards for another score. Just like that, the Vikes found themselves in a 14-0 hole.
But CA quickly regained its footing. Senior quarterback Matt Saling directed a long drive and capped it off with a 5-yard touchdown pass to junior Dorrian Moultrie, who continues to solidify his spot as one of the conference’s elite receivers.
Holding a 7-point lead, the Red Raiders added to their cushion with a field goal to begin the second period.
This gave the ball back to an Academy offense that was finding its groove. An electric run by Moultrie on an end-around set up the Vikings deep in London territory. A couple of plays later, Saling found the other Moultrie brother, senior Herman, over the middle for a 17-yard touchdown to pull Academy within 3.
The Vikes’ defense forced a punt, and the offense took over with the first-half clock winding down. CA marched down the field, and sophomore kicker Sam Massick drilled a 42-yard field goal as time expired, sending the teams to the locker rooms knotted at 17.
After watching its early lead disappear, the Red Raiders began the third quarter angry. They pounded through the Vikings defense and scored on a quarterback sneak to reclaim the lead.
Looking to respond with a touchdown of its own, Academy moved the ball into London territory. However, the drive stalled in the red zone, and Massick connected on another field goal to cut the deficit to a 24-20 heading into the fourth.
In need of a stop, the desperate Vikes tried to slow down the Red Raiders’ running attack. But CA’s attempts were futile, as Price slashed through the defense once again, on his way to a 44-yard touchdown. He finished with 340 yards.
Now down 11, the Vikings offense attempted to mount a comeback. But the London defense held firm-and stopped Academy in its tracks.
The Red Raiders offense pounced on another scoring opportunity and delivered the dagger as it scored from 40 yards out on a quarterback keeper to extend the lead to 38-20.
CA got the ball back, and went to work. Saling immediately connected on a downfield shot to speedy junior Harry Mills. But the Vikes couldn’t sustain the drive and were forced to give the ball back to London.
With just minutes remaining and the Red Raiders burning time off the clock, senior Matt Schiano punched the ball loose from the London ball carrier. It fluttered into the hands of Moultrie’19, who raced 63 yards the other way for a Vikes touchdown. Suddenly, CA had new life.
However, a long onside kick attempt failed, and the Red Raiders played keep-away for the remainder of the game, handing the Vikings their first loss of the year.
Academy’s dreams of a perfect season are broken, but the Vikes still have plenty to play for. Coach Robin Miller’s squad remains in prime position to battle for its second straight playoff birth. The journey continues on Friday, September 22, as the Vikings host a talented Whitehall team.
