The sexy pick heading into Friday night’s Alabama Christian/PCA matchup was PCA. They sported a 3-1 record, although the only quality opponent they played beat them like a drum, opposed to ACA’s 1-3 record. Even some of the local media drank the purple Kool-Aid and picked the Panthers to win on the road. However, two factors, special teams and Micah Merritt, turned the Panther’s dream of a victory into a nightmarish reality check as the Eagles left the field victorious, 31-14.
Special teams impacted the game immediately. As the kickoff unit took the field Coach Dockins implored his boys to start fast, and boy did they. David Johnson’s onside kick to the right sideline was recovered by Bryson Dabney and ACA stole an offensive possession on the first play of the game. After three plays and facing a 4th and 8 from the Panther 46-yard line, it looked as if the extra possession would be for naught. However, PCA’s defense jumped offsides and committed pass interference on consecutive plays to set up the home team with a 1st and 10 at the 26-yard line. Micah Merritt took it from there as he scored on the next play to give ACA a 7-0 lead just 96 seconds into the contest. The Panthers responded with a 6-play, 70-yard drive to tie the score 7-7 with 8:07 left in the first. Merritt’s 51-yard jaunt on the first play of the next drive set up ACA for a second score in two possessions. Mason Henry found Ethan Dabney in the endzone for an 18-yard touchdown to give the lead back to ACA, 14-7. ACA’s defense held first and stopped the Panthers on their next drive. A third down sack by Keenan McCarthy was a key play in the drive.
The Eagles scored its third touchdown just seconds into the second period. ACA methodically moved down the field with a drive that covered 67 yards in eight plays. On 4th and 2 at the 6-yard line, Mason Henry baited the defensive line to jump again to give the home team a first down. Micah Merritt scored on the next play from three yards out for a 21-7 lead. PCA drove back down the field, but Cooper Milner stepped in front of a pass at the 2-yard line and returned it to the 29-yard line to turn the visitors away. Both teams traded punts and it looked as if the half might close with a 21-7 score. Misfortune struck ACA as a punt return was fumbled and recovered by the Panthers. PCA turned the opportunity into points and trailed 21-14 at the half.
Beau Gainey gave the offense great field position with a 37-yard kickoff return to start the second half. For the next seven plays, the Eagles offense said we are going to give it to Micah Merritt (#7) and we wish you luck trying to stop him. Merritt looked like a man against boys as he tore through the PCA defense. On 1st and goal from the 15-yard line, after a holding call, Mason Henry found Gainey in the end zone for a 28-14 lead. On the next kickoff, David Johnson worked his voodoo again as Noah Shack recovered another onsides kick. Shack’s recovery took any hope out of the Panther team. The offense couldn’t produce a touchdown but they did close enough for David Johnson to connect on a career long 45-yard field goal for a 31-14 advantage. Johnson became the fifth kicker in program history to have a made field goal of 40 yards or longer.
Each team had the ball two more times on the night. PCA never made it inside ACA’s 40-yard line. The Eagles on the other hand slowed everything down and enjoyed watching every second tick off the clock. When it was all said and done, there was no doubt as the players left the field who has the better team and program.
Micah Merritt rushed for a career high 211 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns. Mason Henry finished a very efficient 10 out of 15 for 106 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite targets were the Dabney brothers who caught seven of the ten completions. Ethan had four catches for 49 yards and a score while Bryson had three receptions for 28 yards. Mekhi Gardner led the defense with seven tackles. Cooper Milner and Kennan McCarthy both had four tackles. Cayden Meeks and McCarthy both had a sack while Milner had an interception.