Sophomore Brady Hess looks for extra yardage on his scramble. (Jenny L’Hommedieu’19/Media)
The CA football team retained the Mayor-Headmaster’s Cup on Friday, September 14, as the Vikes clobbered archrival Bexley, 38-6.
Academy wasted no time establishing its dominance. With the Lions in punt formation on their first possession, junior Andrew Swartz flew around the edge and blocked the kick. The ball bounced into the arms of freshman Carter James, who raced 20 yards for a score.
Bexley didn’t panic. Quarterback Anthony Welsh orchestrated a long touchdown drive that spilled into the second period, punching it in himself from a yard out. A bad snap on the extra point, however, allowed the Vikings to remain ahead, 7-6.
CA immediately stole the momentum back. The Lions attempted an onside kick, and senior Hayden Compton leaped to snatch it before sprinting 56 yards to the end zone. Compton has emerged as one of the Vikes’ best players.
Looking to respond before the half, Bexley moved the ball into Academy territory. But the Vikings’ defense stopped Welsh inches short on fourth down, ending the threat.
Sophomore quarterback Brady Hess found senior Chris Boyle for a 27-yard gain, as CA charged into field goal range. Exceptional junior Sam Massick took care of the rest, drilling a 40-yarder to extend his team’s lead to 17-6 at the break.
On a night where the Vikes were relatively quiet offensively, their special teams continued to shine in the third quarter. With the help of a fake punt, the Lions marched into the red zone, and set up to try a field goal that would make it a one-possession game again. But it was denied, as Boyle tore through the line and rejected the kick. Fellow senior Dorrian Moultrie scooped up the ball and took it 51 yards to the house. Academy took an 18-point cushion into the final period.
Hess stuck the dagger into Bexley, calling his own number and barreling across the goal line for a 4-yard touchdown to extend the advantage to 31-6. For good measure, Hess then lofted a 19-yard touchdown to sophomore classmate Sam Huyghe just seconds later, the receiver’s first career touchdown.
The Vikings coasted to the finish line and celebrated their second consecutive win over the Lions with the CA student section on the field.
It seems as though the Vikes have hit their stride as the midway point of the season approaches. Academy will put its 3-game winning streak on the line when it travels to Whitehall on Friday, September 21.
