Cole S. fights for more yardage (Courtesy/Alex L.)
The CA football team tallied its ninth consecutive win and remained undefeated on Friday, October 18, fending off the Barons at 20-14.
The Vikings started off hot as they received the first-half kickoff, with 11-yard runs from both Cole S. and Griffin B. to set them up for success as Gabe D-R. capped off the drive with a touchdown from 15 yards out, clenching the 7-0 lead halfway through the first. Buckeye Valley immediately responded with a long drive of its own and scored from 4 yards out, tying the game at 7-apiece to open the second quarter.
Academy regained possession at their own 40, providing good field position. Aided by Gabe’s 19-yard run, Cole found the endzone with a rushing touchdown of his own from 2 yards out, but the Barons blocked the extra point, only propelling the Vikings to 13. A quick Buckeye Valley 3-and-out and weak punt gave Academy the ball back at the Baron 41. Cole launched a 41-yard rocket to Harmon G. on the next play, extending the Viking lead to 20-7. Neither team could find any offensive advantage for the remainder of the half, closing it out 20-7.
The third quarter was uneventful as both teams traded possessions for the 12 minutes.
The offensive drought ended with 4 minutes left by the Barons, as they scored a 45-yard touchdown off of a deep-ball to a wide-open receiver to cut the deficit by 7. It wasn’t enough to bring them the lead as the Vikings ran the clock in the final minutes, taking the narrow victory 20-14.
The Vikings have concluded their regular-season home games, following this narrow victory and will travel to Bishop Ready on Friday, October 25, to take on the Silver Knights for the last game of the regular season.