Neither offense could sustain its first drive of the game, so the Lions got the ball near the end of the first quarter, with an opportunity to strike first. Quarterback Cole Peardon led his team down the field, utilizing an array of short passes to move the ball to Academy’s 25-yard line. But the Vikes’ defense refused to break. Junior Dalyn DeCree batted a Peardon pass into the air, and it fluttered into the arms of classmate Deven Cobb, who made a juggling, one-handed interception.
Despite the momentum of the turnover, a sluggish CA offense could not find a groove. The Vikings were forced to punt, but would soon have another opportunity to score. On the return, emerging freshman Sam Huyghe punched the ball loose, but senior Matt Schiano recovered, setting up the Academy offense in Lions territory.
But the Vikes’ offense failed to capitalize again. A pair of drops by Academy receivers were costly, and the drive resulted in a turnover on downs.
After the teams traded punts, Liberty Union committed yet another turnover. DeCree again tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage, and junior Dorrian Moultrie picked it off.
This time, the CA offense took advantage. With halftime approaching, senior running back Herman Moultrie knifed through the Lions defense and waltzed to the end zone, finally breaking the scoreless tie. He has now scored a touchdown in 10 consecutive games, dating back to last year.
The suffocating Vikings defense forced another punt, and Academy had a chance to take a commanding lead. Methodically, the Vikes worked their way deep into Liberty Union territory. Senior Josh Pearson took a handoff and plowed through multiple Lions defenders, but fumbled at the 1-yard line. So CA headed to the break, frustrated that its 7-0 lead was not larger.
Even more sloppy play ensued. Fumbles, punts, and penalties dominated the third quarter, and the game moved into the final period with the score unchanged.
Looking to drain time off the clock, Academy began to feed Moultrie’18 and Pearson. The duo pounded their way close to the goal line, but could not punch it in, and the Vikes settled for a field goal.
Facing a 10-0 deficit, Liberty Union desperately tried to respond. But disaster struck again for the Lions, as senior John Schiano stepped in front of a receiver and picked off a pass.
A healthy dose of Moultrie’18 and Pearson had the Vikings offense threatening to score again. With time winding down, Pearson dashed any hopes of a comeback, rumbling to the end zone from 13 yards out.
The Lions put a garbage-time touchdown on the board to ruin the Vikes’ shutout, but it was too late to prevent CA from picking up a much-needed win.
The Vikings host a tough Grandview Heights team on Friday, October 27, in the final game of the regular season. With a win, Academy would punch a ticket to the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
