Don’t look now, but Alabama Christian is riding a five-game winning streak and has secured a winning season after they thumped St James Friday night, 35-7. A trip to St James is always an adventure, and this year’s game was no different. The festivities started when ACA’s play-by-play team and videographer were kicked out of the pressbox before the game started. The boys couldn’t even get a shout out in the invocation. Maybe investing in some hosting classes might be a wise idea.
Three things stood out in Friday night’s contest: the wind, the defense, and Micah Merritt. The wind played havoc with the passing and kicking games of both teams. Both squads had punts of less than 10 yards while kicking into the wind. The Eagle’s defense brought the pain all night long. They held the Trojans to 101 yards of offense and picked off three passes. The only touchdown surrendered was on a short field after a wind restricted punt. Lastly, there was #7, Micah Merritt. The offense hitched its wagon to the rugged back and he bludgeoned the St James defense for 209 yards on 32 carries and five, count ‘em, five touchdowns.
The two offenses traded punts on the first four possessions of the game and the first period ended with ACA facing a 2nd and 14 on the St James 26-yard line. On fourth down from the same spot, the Trojans were called for pass interference which almost made up for the horrendous missed interference call in the first. The flag set up ACA for a 4th and 1 at the 13-yard line. Everyone in the stadium knew who was getting the ball on fourth down, and he still scored a touchdown to give ACA a 7-0 lead. With the wind at their backs, St James thought they could break out their passing attack on offense. The defense was not impressed. After an incompletion, Mekhi Gardner lit a receiver up on a second down screen to set up a 3rd and 11. Bryson Dabney picked off the third down attempt and returned it to the Trojans 38-yard line. The offense stretched the lead to 14-0 with 7:02 left in the half as they covered the needed yards in eight plays, six of them runs. The defense held St James to a three and out to give the ball back to the offense. A holding call backed the Eagles up to the 14-yard line and forced a punt from the 21 on fourth down. The wind hampered the kick and the Trojans had the ball only 40 yards from the end zone. The home team scored in six plays to cut the lead in half, 14-7, with just 1:34 left in the half. ACA ran out the clock and headed to the locker room with a touchdown lead.
The Eagles were against the wind to start the half. The conditions were so bad, just surviving the quarter would be an accomplishment. ACA not only survived it, they built their lead as well. After both teams swapped punts to start the half, Alabama Christian turned the ball over as an errant snap was recovered by the Trojans at ACA’s 12-yard line. If the home team was ever going to get back in it, the time was now. Instead, Levi Summers picked off a third down pass at the three and returned it out to the 21-yard line. The stunned Trojans were not ready for Micah Merritt to throw the knockout punch. The senior ran for 30 yards on the first play of the drive to stagger the opponent. On the next play, they never saw the uppercut coming as the big man rumbled 49 yards to the house for a 21-7 lead with 1:14 left in the third.
As the fourth quarter started, ACA could smell blood in the water. After a twelve yard punt, into the wind, the Eagles started their next drive on the 37-yard line. Mekhi Gardner provided the big gainer with a 24-yard pick up, but Micah Merritt ran the ball the other six plays of the drive as ACA extended their lead to 28-7 with 8:11 left in the contest. Three plays later, Levi Summers got his second pick of the night to set up the offense at their opponent’s 16-yard line. Merritt scored his fifth touchdown of the night with 5:09 left for a 35-7 advantage. ACA’s offense set up in Victory formation when it got back on the field with just over a minute remaining. Two kneel downs later, and the game was over.
Keenan McCarthy led the defense with seven tackles followed by Cooper Milner with six. Mekhi Gardner had five tackles and 35 yards rushing while Aiden Whiten and LaDarius Walters both had four tackles. The windy conditions hampered the passing game as Mason Henry threw for 26 yards on the night. Levi Summers led the receivers with two catches for 14 yards.