‘Horns unable to overcome big plays against Vols

Monroeville, Ala. -- 9-2-2016 -- Marengo Academy's Robert Tutt leaps over the block of Landon Houlditch (80) during Friday night's game against Monroe Academy.
09-02-2016 — Monroeville, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Robert Tutt leaps over the block of Landon Houlditch (80) during Friday night’s game against Monroe Academy.

MONROEVILLE — Big plays were the catalyst for the Monroe Academy Volunteers in their victory over the visiting Marengo Academy Longhorns. Touchdown passes of 65, 81 and 91 yards proved costly for the Longhorns, the first two gave the Vols a 14-0 advantage that the ‘Horns were not able to overcome.

Monroeville, Ala. -- 9-2-2016 -- Marengo Academy's Hayden Megginson dives in for the Longhorns' first score during Friday night's game against Monroe Academy.
09-02-2016 — Monroeville, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Hayden Megginson (18) dives in for the Longhorns’ first score during Friday night’s game against Monroe Academy.

The first few minutes of the first quarter saw neither team able to move the ball. However, with 3:13 to go in the first quarter, the Volunteers hit on a 65-yard catch and run that put them on the board. The PAT gave the Vols a 7-0 lead. After a Longhorn possession, the Volunteers struck again. This time, a Longhorn defender slipped down, giving the Monroe receiver an 81-yard score. With 27 seconds remaining in the first, the Vols were up 14-0 after a successful PAT.

The Longhorns came to life on their ensuing possession. After a couple of third down conversions, the Longhorns faced a fourth-and-2 at the Volunteers 11-yard line. Hayden Megginson took the ball on a sweep right, cut back and dove across the goal line for the ‘Horns first score of the night. Megginson converted the PAT to bring the Longhorns within seven, at 14-7, with 6:41 to go in the first half.

The Vols struck again on their next possession and with 3:13 to go in the second quarter, the Longhorns found themselves down 21-7.

Monroeville, Ala. -- 9-2-2016 -- Marengo Academy's Weldon Aydelott (35) runs behind the block of Alex Owens (62) during Friday night's game against Monroe Academy.
09-02-2016 — Monroeville, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Weldon Aydelott (35) runs behind the block of Alex Owens (62) during Friday night’s game against Monroe Academy.

Coming out for the second half, MA head coach Webb Tutt said that they expected to see more of the same in the second half.

“We’ve got to make some adjustments and make some plays. We’re still in the ball game, but we’ve got to stop them and get a little momentum offensively,” said Tutt.

The Longhorn defense made good on some of those adjustments and stopped the Vols on their first possession of the second half. On their first offensive possession of the second half, the ‘Horns moved the ball well. On what would be the final play of that first drive, Robert Tutt took a toss from Jacob Beck and rolled right. Tutt then pulled up and threw a perfect strike to Gavin Tate in the end zone. The PAT from Megginson put the Longhorns back within seven at 21-14.

To start the fourth quarter, the ‘Horns backed the Vols up to their 9-yard line. Not to be outdone, the Vols struck on a 91-yard pass play to stretch the lead to 28-14 with 11:28 to go in the game. After trading possessions, the Volunteers methodically worked the ball down the field and ran out the clock inside the Longhorns 20-yard line.

“Big plays killed us all night, and that’s on me,” Tutt said after the game. “The kids played hard and we’re going to bounce back. We’ve got some work to do and we understand that. I’m proud of this bunch.”

9-2-2016 -- Monroeville, Ala. -- Marengo Academy's Gavin Tate hauls in a touchdown pass during Friday night's game against Monroe Academy.
 09-02-2016 — Monroeville, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Gavin Tate (11) hauls in a touchdown pass during Friday night’s game against Monroe Academy.

Tutt said that losing a game to a Class 3A team “will make us better. You never like to lose, but we’re going to use this as a learning experience and work on things we need to work on and get better.”

Austen Day led the defense with five tackles and four assists. Dalton Daniels registered five tackles. D.J. Nettles and Weldon Aydelott both contributed four tackles and two assists.

Offensively, Robert Tutt was 1-for-1 passing for 25 yards. That one pass was the Longhorns’ lone completion of the night and was a touchdown caught by Gavin Tate. Tutt also ran 13 times for 79 yards. Aydelott had 17 carries for 84 yards. Megginson had 9 carries for 32 yards and one touchdown.

The Longhorns (1-1, 0-0) will be at home next week for a region game against Southern Academy.

Monroeville, Ala. -- 9-2-2016 -- Marengo Academy's Landon Houlditch sacks Monroe Academy's quarterback during Friday night's game against the Volunteers.
09-02-2016 — Monroeville, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Landon Houlditch (80) sacks Monroe Academy’s quarterback during Friday night’s game against the Volunteers.