Junior kicker Sam Massick has delivered the goods all year. (Inji Kang’19/Media editor)
Coming off a frustrating loss, the CA football team ran into more trouble in its bout against London on Friday, September 28, suffering a 42-27 loss to the Red Raiders. It was the first time the Vikings have been defeated at home since 2016.
London drew first blood. The Red Raiders forced a punt to begin the game, then connected on a 22-yard field goal to take an early lead.
Academy didn’t flinch. Sophomore quarterback Brady Hess connected with senior Chris Boyle for 27 yards down the sideline, before rifling a bullet up the seam to other senior Hayden Compton, who breezed to the end zone untouched for a 39-yard score.
The second quarter started with a fumbled exchange by London, and sophomore Robert Mills pounced on the loose ball in Red Raiders territory. The Vikes capitalized, as senior Dorrian Moultrie took a handoff and knifed across the goal line to extend the lead to 14-3.
On the third play of the ensuing drive, London responded. Senior running back KJ Price slashed through the CA defense and took it to the house from 61 yards out. The Red Raiders missed the extra point and trailed by 5.
Seconds later, the Vikings struck again. Hess slung a dart over the middle to senior Harry Mills, who made a leaping grab before bolting to the end zone for a 55-yard touchdown. A bad snap on the point-after kept the advantage at 20-9.
London powered its way down the field and found paydirt on the following drive, though the Red Raiders were stuffed on their two-point conversion attempt.
With time winding down, Academy looked to add to its cushion before the half. But Hess was picked off, setting up a London score. Price was stopped short on the two-point try, and the Red Raiders took a 21-20 lead into the break.
Due to London’s bruising running style, the Vikes defense appeared to wear down in the third period. Price scampered into the end zone from 6 yards out, giving his team an 8-point cushion with 12 minutes to play.
CA couldn’t break its scoring drought, and the Red Raiders capitalized. Price took a direct snap and rumbled for a 19-yard touchdown, his third of the night.
Though they were in a 35-20 hole, the Vikings refused to quit. Moultrie found the end zone for a 4-yard score, making it a one-possession game.
But London recovered Academy’s onside kick attempt and proceeded to stick the dagger into the Vikes, as the Red Raiders pounded their way to another touchdown.
With the loss, CA now sits at 3-3 on the season. The Vikings cannot afford another defeat, and will likely need teams ahead of them to falter down the stretch in order to reach the postseason. The journey continues on Friday, October 5, as Academy hits the road to clash with Bishop Ready.
