The CA football team picked up a hard-fought road win over Newark Catholic on Saturday, September 8, edging the Green Wave in wet conditions, 16-14.
The Vikes came out of the gates swinging. They forced a punt to open the game, before junior Carter Warstler took a pitch on Academy’s first offensive play and bolted up the sideline for 61 yards. The drive, however, stalled near the goal line, and the Vikings settled for a chip-shot field goal from junior Sam Massick. A scoring drought ensued, as the squads traded possession for the remainder of the quarter.
CA finally began to move the ball again in the second period. Sophomore Brady Hess hit senior Dorrian Moultrie on a pair of screens to kickstart the drive, and Warstler capped it off, slipping tackles on his way to a 20-yard score.
In a 10-0 hole, Newark Catholic needed a response. Green Wave quarterback Matt Carlisle delivered, marching his team down the field and tossing a touchdown to cut the deficit to 3.
Newark Catholic’s momentum didn’t last long. With time winding down in the half, Hess swung a lateral to Warstler, who sprinted to the end zone from 44 yards out. Both players are blossoming into stars for the Vikes. The extra-point hold was botched, but Academy still owned a 16-7 lead heading to the locker rooms.
A downpour of rain slowed down both attacks when play resumed. Neither team could find a spark, until the Green Wave put together a touchdown drive to close the third quarter.
The Vikings couldn’t extend their advantage in the final period, and the score remained 16-14 with just a few minutes remaining.
Newark Catholic faced fourth down in CA territory and elected to go for it. The Vikes stood tall, as Carlisle’s pass fluttered to the ground.
Academy punted, and the Green Wave had one last opportunity to score. But the Vikings had other plans, forcing four straight incompletions to seal the victory.
CA proved that it can grind out a tough win in enemy territory, a quality that will be extremely valuable as the season progresses. The Vikes host archrival Bexley on Friday, September 14, as Academy looks to beat the Lions for a second consecutive year.
