Longhorns trounce reigning state champs
JACKSON — Marengo Academy (3-0) dispelled the notion that it is still a year away Friday night when it trounced reigning state champion Jackson Academy 37-8.
The Longhorns tallied 302 yards on the ground in a suffocating performance.
“They had an eight-man front trying to stop the run. We put in a couple things they never did adjust to,” Marengo Academy head coach Robby James said. “We mixed it up a little bit with our fullback and our halfback. We didn’t have to throw it. We were able to move the ball pretty well against them. They didn’t adjust to what we were doing.”
The Longhorns started the scoring off just 59 seconds into the game when Brandt Lewis broke a 69-yard run for a touchdown. Less than three minutes later, Lewis found the end zone again on a nine-yard run. Hayden Huckabee hooked up with Shade Pritchett for the two-point conversion to put MA up 14-0.
Lewis proved true on a 27-yard field goal early in the second quarter to extend the Longhorn lead to 17-0. Josh Holifield got in on the fun with 5:45 to go in the second quarter when he found the end zone on a 44-yard run. Lewis added the extra point kick to make it 24-0 at half.
Huckabee wasted little time adding to the lead in the second half when he returned a punt 68 yards for a score.
After Jackson Academy finally got on the board, Holifield capped the offense with an eight-yard touchdown run.
“We’re excited about it. We feel like we played pretty well. We had a few problems here and there,” James said. “But, overall we played with a lot of energy. And it was a big win for us.”
Kyle Adams led the defense with nine total tackles to go along with a pair of sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Holifield led the ground game with 157 yards on 21 carries. Lewis added 124 yards on 10 carries for the Longhorns.
Marengo Academy hosts Patrician Thursday night.
“The biggest thing, I think, it just helps you to prepare for next week,” James said. “Our kids are, I think, getting a little better every week.”