Charlie R. (Courtesy/Alex L.)
The CA football team remains on course amid the postseason after winning game-one against Piketon on Friday, November 1, beating the Redstreaks 24-7 under an electric atmosphere.
The game started off slowly, with neither team finding any offensive pressure, trading possessions for the entire first and half of the second quarter. The Vikings finally found their offensive footing after receiving the ball off of a punt on their own 45 with less than 2 minutes on the clock. Cole S. kickstarted the drive with an 11-yard completion to Harmon G. Griffin B. then followed up with a 10-yard run of his own, however losing control and fumbling the ball after he was tackled. The ball was recovered by Rey P. for a total gain of 16. A pass interference call on Piketon propelled the Vikings 14 yards deeper into Redstreak territory. Plagued by penalties and incompletions, Academy elected to go for a 23-yard field goal on 4th down, which Abe U. drilled in between the uprights, bringing the Vikings the first lead of the game at 3-0 into halftime.
Academy continued to find offensive success coming from the break, as Cole scrambled for multiple double-digit gains and capped off the drive with a touchdown from 2 yards out, extending the lead 10-0. The Viking defense continued to stifle the Redstreaks, forcing another 3-and-out. Starting from their own 45, Academy slowly marched down the field. With one second left in the third quarter, Cole threw a 28-yard deep-ball to Harmon in the endzone, taking advantage of blown coverage by the Redstreaks and closing the third 17-0.
Piketon continued to struggle, turning the ball over once again to the Vikings with a meager 18-yard punt, which landed at their own 38. Academy couldn’t capitalize on the short field, as a penalty brought them back 10 yards and they were unable to convert. On the next Redstreak offensive possession, Parker S. intercepted an overthrown pass over the middle and brought the ball to the 17. This time, however, the Vikings cashed in as Abe ran the ball into the endzone from one yard out, extending their lead 24-0 and crushing any Redstreak hopes of a comeback. Piketon finally put points on the board with a last-minute touchdown, to close the game out at 24-7, Academy.
Academy moves onto the next round of playoff games following this home victory and will travel to Harvest Prep on Friday, November 8, looking to continue playoff dreams in a face-off against the 8-2 Warriors.