Knights Topple Blue Devils
The Tuscaloosa Academy Knights are in position for their first region title in only their second year at the ASHAA level. Tuscaloosa Academy won a hard fought game over the Sulligent Blue Devils 21-14. Sulligent jumped out 7-0 after a big run from Junior Rb AJ Lowe and a big catch from 6'8' Senior Wr Hunter Wood setting Sulligent up at the 4-yard line. Lowe took it in from there. TA was forced to punt on their first possession. A fumble on Sulligent's next possession gave TA a short field. Preston Lancaster hit Mills Powell from 23 yards out to tie the game at 7-7
Defense would be the name of the game for the majority of the first half. After a penalty negating a touchdown for the Knights, they missed a field goal from 30 yards. Sulligent's Brody Clark threw an interception to TA's Hudson Powell. Lancaster and the Knights were able to capitalize after the turnover, with Lancaster finding Ellis Hamiter from 29 yards out. The Knights took a 14-7 lead into the half.
The Knights opened the second half with a 66-yard bomb from Lancaster to Mills Powell for their second connection of the night. Sulligent went on a 16-play drive with Lowe taking it in from 2 yards. Defense commanded the rest of the game. With 4 minutes remaining The Blue Devils stopped Lancaster on a 4th down play. After a big play from Clark to Woods. The Knights Jeffrey Coleman got a strip sack that caused a 30 yard loss. Ellis Hamiter ended all chances intercepting a Clark Hail Mary.
"Sulligent is a good football team. Lancaster, Hamiter and Powell have big games. Coach Bradford called a great game on defense." " We've got everything we want in front of us." Said Tuscaloosa Academy Head Coach Josh Wright.
" Tuscaloosa Academy played a great game. We had a chance and just didn't finish. Depending on next week we could still be region champs." Said Sulligent Head Coach Brian Gunnels.
Tuscaloosa Academy 6-2 (4-1) host Cold Springs next week with a chance to capture their first region championship. Sulligent 8-1 (5-1) will be off next week and close out the season against Colbert County in two weeks.
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