Warriors spear Spartans

Rick Patrick
ECB Publishing, Inc.

The Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) Warriors finished their regular season with a perfect 9-0 record after defeating the Spartans of St. Johns Country Day School, 38-8, on Friday, Oct. 25. The Warriors racked up 346 yards on the ground to the delight of the home crowd. The Warriors now await the announcement of the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2A playoff brackets on Sunday, Nov. 3.
The Warriors wasted little time scoring a touchdown, when Brandon Hannon ran the ball over the goal line for the first of his two rushing touchdowns for the Warriors. The Warriors took a 7-0 lead with approximately nine minutes remaining in the opening period. The Warriors added another touchdown in the waning moments of the opening period to take a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Warriors extended their lead early in the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brady Browning to Hannon. The Warriors enjoyed a 21-0 lead with nine minutes to go in the first half. The Warriors wrapped up the first half with a 42-yard field goal off the foot of Hannon to give the Warriors a 24-0 advantage late in the second quarter.
With eight minutes to go in the third period, Nathan Dukes got in on the scoring for the Warriors with a 12-yard touchdown run. The score was 31-0, with the Warriors firmly in control. At the six-minute mark of the third quarter, Hannon scored another touchdown on a 35-yard scoring run. The ensuing extra-point put the score at 38-0 in the latter part of the third period. In the final quarter, the Spartans did manage to get on the scoreboard with a 30-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute of the game. The Warriors finished the contest with a 38-8 lead.
Browning went four-for-seven in the passing department, throwing for 48 yards and one touchdown. Jared Grant led the Warriors in rushing with 128 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown. Hannon toted the ball seven times for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Hannon also kicked for five extra points and a 42-yard field goal. Dukes added 56 yards rushing on seven rushing attempts. Defensively, Austin Hebert had 12 tackles, with one tackle-for-loss. Browning had three tackles and two interceptions. Hannon was named the Offensive Player of the Game and the Defensive Player of the Game was Browning. Dalton Anderson was named the Warrior of the Week.
The Warriors now await their fate in the FHSAA Class 2A playoffs. The final playoff brackets will be announced after the conclusion of the regular high school football season on Friday, Nov. 1. As of now, the Warriors will likely host the North Florida Educational Institute Eagles, from Jacksonville, in the Class 2A Region One Quarter-finals on Friday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m.