The Vikes’ defense prepares for the snap. (Muriel Goldfarb’18)
In the Division 5, Region 19 playoffs for a second consecutive year, the #5 seed CA football team traveled to #4 seed Union Local for its first round matchup on Friday, November 3. After trailing for the majority of the game, the resilient Vikings stormed back in the final minutes to stun the Jets, 13-6.
Its deafening crowd in support, Union Local came out of the gates swinging. The Jets received the ball and marched down the field on the game’s opening possession. As they were threatening to take an early lead, quarterback Cal Kildow attempted a dangerous pass, and senior Herman Moultrie made a leaping interception to give Academy the ball.
Despite the momentum, the Vikes were stuffed on three straight plays and were forced to punt. CA looked rattled, quickly realizing it was up against the best defense it had faced all year.
The Union Local offense would not be denied this time. The Jets gashed Academy’s defense for multiple big plays, and moved into the red zone. Kildow faked a handoff and kept it himself, dashing up the middle for a 14-yard touchdown. The Jets missed the extra point and held a 6-0 lead after the first quarter.
On the ensuing possession, the Vikes’ offense sputtered and Academy punted again. But Union Local—struggling with the muddy conditions—muffed the kick, and freshman Sam Huyghe fell on it, giving CA the ball deep inside Jets territory.
Even with the great field position, the Vikings offense continued to flounder. Looking for a spark, CA went for it on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal. The decision backfired, as Union Local’s defense stood tall and dropped senior quarterback Matt Saling inches short.
The two teams traded punts for the remainder of the quarter, and the Vikes headed to the break facing just its second halftime deficit of the season.
The punting war resumed to begin the second half. Senior Angus Soderberg delivered his best game of the year, repeatedly pinning the Jets close to their own goal line.
A pick by junior Dorrian Moultrie and a fumble recovery from senior Josh Pearson gave the Vikings favorable field position twice in a matter minutes. But due to some questionable play-calling, neither of the following offensive drives by CA resulted in points.
As the fourth quarter began, Union Local began to carve up the Academy defense. The Jets moved inside the Vikings’ 10-yard line and were looking to deliver the dagger with a touchdown. But a Kildow throw to the end zone on fourth down was broken up, and CA’s hopes remained intact.
The Vikes had little breathing room, so Coach Robin Miller dialed up a setup screen to Moultrie’18. The Jets were caught off-guard, and the star running back raced, untouched, for what looked to be a 94-yard touchdown. A disputable penalty against Academy negated the score, and gave the Vikings the ball at the Jets’ 35-yard line.
The penalty did not derail the newly-energized CA offense. Saling directed the offense down the field, making several clutch throws on the way. With the Vikes on the 11-yard line, Saling floated a throw into double coverage, and junior Chris Boyle rose above both defenders to snag the game-tying touchdown.
The Academy faithful broke into hysteria, its team on the verge of taking the lead with under 4 minutes to play. But sophomore Sam Massick’s extra point attempt was blocked, and the score remained 6-6.
The noise from the Union Local fans was thunderous on the ensuing kickoff, as it looked as though Kildow and company would take the field with an opportunity to win the game. But the Jets kick returner couldn’t handle the slippery ball, and freshman Brady Hess recovered the fumble for CA.
Two plays later, Moultrie’18 reeled in a pass from Saling and plowed his way into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown. This time, Massick drilled the extra point, and Academy’s student section rejoiced. After trailing for over 30 minutes, the Vikes had come roaring back and now held a 13-6 lead.
The Jets offense took the field one last time, needing a miracle drive to tie the game. But CA’s defense had other plans. Moultrie’18 ripped down a desperation heave by Kildow, sealing a monumental victory.
The Vikings ran out the clock, and its fans stormed the field, celebrating one of the biggest wins in school history.
Academy’s incredible win is its first postseason victory since 2006, and it earns the Vikes a spot in the regional semi-finals on Friday, November 10, at a neutral location. Awaiting them is a clash with the undefeated #1 seed: Wheelersburg.
