Rick Patrick
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The football season for the Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) Warriors came to a close on Friday, Nov. 13, when they traveled to Jacksonville to face the Fighting Christians of University Christian School. The Warriors fell behind early and were not able to catch the Fighting Christians and the game ended with a 41-16 victory for the Fighting Christians in the Class 2A Region One quarter-final.
The Warriors began the game on offense, but on their first possession a Fighting Christian defender picked off a pass and ran it back 35 yards for a “pick-six” touchdown. The point-after-touchdown (PAT) was good and the Fighting Christians had a 7-0 lead with 11 minutes remaining in the first quarter. The next Warrior possession stalled and the Warriors were forced to punt to University Christian, who took over at midfield. The Fighting Christians moved down the field and capped off the drive with a 15-yard rushing touchdown. The PAT was off the mark and the score was 13-0, with nine minutes still to play in the first quarter.
The Warriors showed a bit of life when Brady Browning hit Hunter Hughes on a long pass that put the ball at the Fighting Christians' 10-yard line. The Warriors were unable to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs at the 10-yard line. The Fighting Christians struck back with a 90-yard scoring drive that ended with a 63-yard rushing touchdown. The PAT was good and the Fighting Christians had a 20-0 lead late in the first quarter. As time was running out in the first quarter, the Fighting Christians added to their score with a 35-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good and the Fighting Christians held a commanding 27-0 lead as the first quarter drew to a close.
In the early moments of the second quarter, the Fighting Christians added to their lead with a two-yard rushing touchdown, followed by another successful PAT. The score now stood at 34-0, with approximately nine minutes remaining until intermission. The Fighting Christians were not finished, as they scored another short rushing touchdown and PAT with less than a minute remaining in the second period. The score at halftime was 41-0, with the Fighting Christians firmly in control.
During the third quarter, the Warriors managed to hold the Fighting Christians at bay, but were unable to make it into the end-zone themselves. The score remained 41-0 at the end of the third quarter.
The Warriors managed to cut into the Fighting Christians' lead midway through the fourth quarter when they scored on a two-yard rushing touchdown. The Warriors converted on a two-point conversion and the score was 41-8, with about seven minutes remaining in the contest. The Warriors found the end-zone once more with three minutes left in the game with a 15-yard rushing touchdown, followed by another successful two-point conversion. The game ended with the score at 41-16.
Brady Browning was 10-for-20, passing for 159 yards. Browning also had seven yards rushing with one rushing touchdown. Hunter Hughes had seven receptions for 116 yards. Jared Grant had 25 yards rushing and a two-point conversion. Liam Mediate had 17 yards, toting the ball twice with one touchdown. Will Sullivan had one carry for a successful two-point conversion. Sullivan led the defense with 15 tackles. Browning had five tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception returned for 60 yards.
Offensive Players of the Game were Browning, Hughes and Mediate. Defensive Players of the Game were Sullivan, Clay Trest and Tucker Rudd. Warriors of the Week were Grant and Nikki Patel.
The Warriors finished their season with a 6-3 record.