Patriots Squeak by Red Devils

From Staff Reports
Published: Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.

MAPLESVILLE | The American Christian Academy Patriots tuned up for the Class 2A playoffs by edging Maplesville 34-33 on Friday night in high school football action.

ACA’s Harrison Pollard and Matt Sandlin combined to complete 20 of 38 passes for 328 yards with three touchdown passes, two to Steadman Shealy.

Maplesville (8-2) pulled to within one point with 5:03 left as Mathew Hamner threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Bailey. ACA maintained its 34-33 lead as Patrick Altena missed the extra point.

Maplesville got the ball back on an interception, but the ACA defense lead by James Sandlin held on downs at its 25. The Patriots were able to maintain possession and time ran out with ACA inside the Maplesville 5.

Shealy caught seven passes for 138 yards. Parker Barrineau had four catches for 67 yards.

ACA (9-1) took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Pollard threw touchdown passes of 51 and 7 yards to Shealy, and Blake Brenton kicked the extra points.

Hamner scored the first touchdown for the Red Devils on a 12-yard run in the second quarter. Maplesville tied it at 14 on Hunter McCay’s 35-yard touchdown run and Altena’s extra-point kick.

ACA regained the lead when Brandon Gottfried caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Pollard. Brenton added the extra point to make it 21-14.

On the last play of the first half, Hamner threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Clemmons. Altena’s extra point tied it at 21.

In the third quarter, Maplesville went ahead on McCay’s 1-yard touchdown run, but the extra-point kick failed.

ACA’s Daniel O’Quinn scored on a 4-yard run with Brenton adding the extra point. O’Quinn finished with 88 yards rushing.

ACA got its last touchdown in the fourth quarter as Gottfried scored on a 71-yard interception return. The kick failed, but the Patriots held a 34-27 lead.

James Sandlin and Matt Leddo led the ACA defense with 12 tackles each. Ryan Swanger had 11 tackles, and Pollard came up with an interception.

ACA will play at home in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs next Friday. The Patriots will open against Keith.