Marengo Academy steps into Class AA in convincing fashion
Ralph Langley sprints into the end zone for a touchdown.
LINDEN – Defending 1A state champion Marengo Academy sent a message that it is ready to make its mark in Class 2A with a 41-0 thumping of Clarke Prep Friday night.
Andrew Martin looks to use the block of Alston Dinning (No. 10) following an interception.
The Longhorns had to wait an extra hour before officially stepping into 2A competition due to lightning in the Linden area. Once the contest began at 8 p.m., the ‘Horns provided a little lightning of their own. The first strike came in the form of a 41-yard pass from Hayden Huckabee to Shade Pritchett midway through the first quarter that set up a 22-yard Pritchett touchdown run on a reverse. Kyle Friday’s PAT gave Marengo the early 7-0 lead.
The Longhorn defense provided the next jolt to the visiting Gators. Andrew Martin picked off a Clarke Prep pass and rambled to the Gator 21. After a play lost a yard, Huckabee fired a bullet on a perfectly times slant pass to Alston Dinning, who strolled into the end zone and gave MA a 13-0 advantage late in the first quarter.
In the opening minute of the second period, Pritchett provided perhaps the game’s biggest flash, a spectacular 72-yard punt return for a score, and Friday’s boot gave the ‘Horns a 20-0 margin. Moments later, Ralph Langley ripped off a 47-yard run that left Marengo in total command – 27-0 – at the break.
Marengo rounded out the night’s scoring in the third, on touchdown runs of 25 yards by Weldon Aydelott and three yards from Josh Holifield.
Clarke Prep’s deepest threat of the night came in the game’s final two minutes, but a wall of Longhorn defenders preserved the shutout on a fourth-and-five from the MA seven-yard line.
“This was a good performance all the way around,” said MA head coach Robby James. “I’m proud of the kids. They played well. I was a little worried about the (weather) delay, but they came out and played hard. I told them it’s exciting every time we go out there on that field. I love being around these young people.”
The Longhorns warm up prior to the game.
MA used a committee approach in the running game, as Pritchett gained 71 yards on three carries, Ralph Langley followed with 69 yards on four attempts, Holifield added 68 yards on 11 rushes and Aydelott chipped in 47 yards on five totes.
Through the air, Huckabee attempted four passes, completing two – the 41-yarder to Pritchett and the 22-yard touchdown toss to Dinning.
Marengo Academy, 1-1 overall and 1-0 in Class 2A, Region 1, has an open date next Friday before traveling to South Choctaw Sept. 19.
Hayden Huckabee hands off to Josh Holifeld.