Turnovers costly in Longhorn loss to Lightning

October 13, 2017 Michael Clements AISA, Alabama, Evangel Christian, football, lightning, Linden, Marengo Academy Longhorns

10-12-17 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Zach Fleming attempts to break a tackle after catching a pass during the Longhorns’ game against the Evangel Christian School Lightning.

Linden — Turnovers are never a good thing. A turnover inside your opponent’s 5-yard line can be a game changer. And two lost fumbles inside your opponent’s 5-yard line can be disastrous. Unfortunately, that was the case for the Marengo Academy Longhorns as they hosted the Evangel Christian School Lightning on Thursday night in Linden.

Longhorn Taylor Woodall returned the opening kickoff to the 35-yard line, but the ‘Horns were unable to move the ball and punted. Likewise, the Lightning were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt. That was theme of the first quarter which saw neither the Longhorns nor the Lightning reach their opponent’s red zone and the quarter ended at 0-0.

10-12-17 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Gavin Thompson runs in the open field during the Longhorns’ game against the Evangel Christian School Lightning.

The second quarter was much the same until the Longhorns pushed the ball inside the Lightning’s 10-yard line. However, on a valiant effort to reach the end zone, Longhorn Hunter Parker had the ball stripped by a defender and the Lightning recovered the ball at their own 4-yard line. The visitors from Alabaster would take that turnover and march into Longhorn territory. They would eventually hit on a crossing route and find the end zone with 2:04 to go in the first half. A failed PAT would give the Lightning a 6-0 lead over the Longhorns. The first half would end with that same score.

The Lightning received the second half kickoff and the third quarter saw the teams trade possessions until Parker picked off a Lightning pass at the 25-yard line and returned it 20 yards to the Lightning 5-yard line. On the next play for the Longhorns, William Drake had the ball get loose and the Lightning recovered at the 3-yard line.

In similar fashion to their first fumble recovery, the Lightning marched down the field and found the end zone on a 24-yard run. A 2-point conversion try was stopped short by the Longhorn defense and the Lightning held a 12-0 lead with 3:50 to go in the third quarter. The third quarter would end with that score.

10-12-17 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Alex Owens wraps up a runner during the Longhorns’ game against the Evangel Christian School Lightning.

The fourth quarter would yield no points for either team and the game would end with a Lightning victory over the Longhorns by a score of 12-0.

Offensively, Drake had 12 carries for 29 yards. Parker had 5 carries for nine yards and Gavin Thompson had 13 carries for 2 yards. Thompson was 4-16 passing for 49 yards. Zach Fleming had 3 catches for 34 yards and Parker had one catch for 17 yards.

Defensively, Parker led the way with 12 tackles and one interception. Fleming added 10 tackles, Dalton Daniels had nine tackles and Drake recorded eight tackles. Others getting on the board were Thompson (6), Alex Owens (5), Hunter Skibo (4), Ethan Biggs (4), Trey Etheridge (2), Chad Edmonds (2), Cameron Dodd (2), Carson Crawford (1) and Carson Etheridge (1).

The Longhorns were penalized eight times for 60 yards.

Marengo Academy (2-5) will host South Choctaw Academy next Friday night.

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