Joey G. carries the ball. (Courtesy/Cindy Wilson)
The CA Football team improved to 5-0 on Friday, September 20, after picking up its first road win this season at St. Charles, besting the Cardinals 27-20.
Academy seized the momentum right out of the gates with the defense forcing a punt from the Cardinals on their first possession of the game. The Vikings offense followed up with an efficient and methodical drive down the field with Joey G. capping it off with a touchdown from 2-yards out, claiming the 7-0 lead that lasted through the first quarter.
The Viking defense opened the second quarter strong with an interception by Parker S., which set up quarterback Cole S. with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Harmon G., extending the lead by 7. Following another forced punt, St. Charles regained possession due to a muffed kick return by the Vikings recovered by Liam N., allowing the Cardinals to capitalize as quarterback Ryan M. found Liam S. for a 25-yard touchdown. The missed extra point attempt brought the score to 14-6 in favor of the Vikings.
Academy caught a break of their own when it recovered a loose ball deflected off of a St. Charles player from a punt, giving possession back to the Vikes deep in Cardinal territory. Abe U. capped off Academy’s lucky break with a 2-yard touchdown run, however a missed extra point brought the Viking lead to 20-6 at the half.
Neither team could find a gap in each other’s defense at the beginning of the half until the Vikings managed to widen their lead to 27-6 at the end of the third after an incredible one-handed catch by Harmon G. in the back corner of the end zone.
The Cardinals responded in their second possession of the half, making the score 27-13 as Ryan M. hit Trey D. for an 85-yard touchdown with 4 minutes remaining in the game. St. Charles elected to go for an onside kick which was successful, however, the Cardinals ended up turning the ball over on downs. With less than a minute on the clock, the Cardinals forced a quick Academy 3-and-out and blocked the punt, returning the ball for a last minute touchdown, closing the game at 27-20, Academy.
The Vikings proved that they can be just as tough on the road following this win, and they will travel to Whitehall-Yearling to face the Rams on Friday, September 27, looking to become 6-0.
