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Longhorns overcome penalties to notch first win of 2017

Michael Clements , , , , , , , ,
9-15-2017 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Hunter Parker (24) drags a Charger defender across the goal line during the Longhorns’ game against North River Christian.

LINDEN — The Marengo Academy Longhorns overcame 145 yards in penalties to notch their first win of the season over the visiting North River Christian Chargers. After dropping their first three games of the season, the ‘Horns put on a show for the 2017 Homecoming crowd by rolling up 417 yards on the ground and an additional 43 through the air for a total of 460 yards against the Chargers. After having trouble capitalizing on opponents’ miscues last week, the Longhorns overcame their own setbacks for a convincing win.

The Longhorns received the opening kickoff and promptly marched 67 yards in only four plays, ending with William Drake’s 3-yard touchdown run with 10:19 to go in the first quarter. The PAT was good and the Longhorns led 7-0.

The defense held the Chargers on their first possession and the ‘Horns were in business again after a one yard Charger punt. Hunter Parker would end the ensuing four play, 31-yard drive with a 1-yard run. The PAT failed and the Longhorns stretched their lead to 13-0 with 6:11 to go in the first quarter.

The Chargers next drive stalled when Gavin Thompson recovered a Charger fumble at the ‘Horns own 28-yard line. However, the Longhorns would return the favor with a lost fumble of their own at the Chargers’ 9-yard line.

9-15-2017 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Dalton Daniels wraps up the Chargers’ quarterback in the end zone during the Longhorns’ game against North River Christian.

On the ensuing series, Longhorn Dalton Daniels wrapped up the Charger quarterback in the end zone. Intentional grounding was called when the Charger quarterback attempted to get rid of the ball while still in the end zone. The resulting safety would give the Longhorns a 15-0 lead with 1:37 to go in the first quarter. After a delay for an injured Charger player, the quarter ended with the Longhorns leading 15-0.

On their next possession, the Longhorns would have a touchdown run called back for a block in the back. However, Parker would score on a 9-yard run a couple plays later. Drake would run in the 2-point conversion and the Longhorns would take a 23-0 lead with 9:33 to go in the second quarter.

The Chargers hit on a long touchdown pass with 8:03 to go in the second quarter, but would miss the PAT, cutting the Longhorn lead to 23-6.

With 5:55 to go in the first half, Gavin Thompson scored from one yard out. The PAT failed and the Longhorns stretched the lead to 29-6.

On the ensuing Chargers’ possession, Zach Fleming wrapped up the quarterback and Dalton Daniels’ hit forced a fumble that was recovered by Alex Owens. Shortly after, Parker rumbled in from 47 yards out and, with a successful PAT, the Longhorns lead increased to 36-6 with 2:26 to go in the first half. The half ended with that score.

The Longhorns kicked off to the Chargers to open the second half and got their first possession at the Charger 33-yard line after a 6-yard punt. A 28-yard touchdown run was called back due to an illegal formation call, but Drake punched it in from five yards out a few plays later. With 6:02 to go in the third quarter, the Longhorns would have their last points of the night at 43-6, despite scoring on a later possession when Taylor Woodall had a 33-yard touchdown run called back on a penalty.

9-15-2017 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s William Drake cuts toward the goal line during the Longhorns’ game against North River Christian.

Plenty of clean jerseys entered the game and eventually yielded a late touchdown run to the Chargers. The two point try was unsuccessful and the game would end with the Longhorns victorious with a final score of 43-12.

Drake led the offensive charge with 15 carries for 166 yards. Parker added 118 yards on 11 carries. Thompson tallied 66 yards on six carries. Taylor Woodall ended up with 27 yards on three carries. Conner Edmonds got in the books with 31 yards on six carries and Carson Crawford added 14 yards on two carries. Thompson’s lone completion was to Trey Etheridge for 43 yards.

Defensively, Thompson led the Longhorns with six tackles. Drake, Fleming, Parker, Crawford and Daniels added five tackles each. Woodall and Etheridge added four tackles each and Casey Cramer, Chad Edmonds and Alex Owens added three tackles each. Fleming, Parker and Daniels each had two sacks. Thompson, Parker and Trey Jones each recovered a fumble.

Head Coach Lebo Jones savored the Longhorns first victory of the season. “Oh, man, it feels great. We needed that,” Jones said after the game. “Everybody got to play. It was a great night for us.” Referencing the penalties, Jones said “we were over-aggressive at times, but I’m glad to see our guys playing hard. Our effort was good tonight.”

Marengo Academy (1-3, 1-1) will travel to Patrician Academy for another region matchup next week.

9-15-2017 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Zach Fleming (16) takes down the Chargers’ quarterback as Alex Owens (52) and Patrick Ballard (72) give chase during the Longhorns’ game against North River Christian.