Longhorns fall to Saints in season opener

Linden – Aided by two first turnovers, the Patrician Academy Saints jumped out to a 20-point first quarter lead en route to defeating the Marengo Academy Longhorns by a score of 33-6 in the first game of the 2018 football season. Turnovers were an early issue for Marengo, but the Longhorns settled down and put together a strong second half showing.

The visiting Saints took the opening kickoff and marched down the field. The opening drive was capped by a 12-yard run by Dalton McKenzie and a successful PAT gave the Saints a 7-0 lead over the ‘Horns with 9:42 to go in the first quarter.

The Longhorns first possession ended on the first play of the possession. A Longhorn fumble was recovered by the Saints. Once again, the Saints drove the field and cashed in on a 23-yard McKenzie touchdown run. The PAT ran the Saints’ lead to 14-0 with 7:18 to go in the first.

The second ‘Horns possession also ended on the first play of the drive. A Saints’ defender intercepted a pass and the visitors were back on offense. However, the Longhorns defense tightened up and forced a punt. The Longhorns were unable to make much head-way and punted back to the Saints. The ensuing Saints possession ended with another McKenzie touchdown run. The 4-yard trot with 43 seconds to go in the first quarter and unsuccessful PAT left the Longhorns with a 20-0 deficit.

The second quarter was relatively benign until the Saints struck again from 4-yards out with 3:45 to go in the fist half. The failed PAT attempt ran the Longhorn deficit to 26-0. The Longhorns would show some grit on their next possession by converting a 4th-and-2, but failed to get into the end zone. The half would end with the Saints leading 26-0.

The Longhorns received the kickoff to start the second half and came out to handle business. Their opening drive consumed almost eight minutes of the third quarter clock and culminated with a 1-yard plunge from Mason Glass with 4:39 to go in the third quarter. The Longhorns chose to attempt a 2-point conversion, but a high snap sailed over Casey Cramer and he covered the ball. The first touchdown of the year allowed the Longhorns to close the gap to 26-6.

The Saints’ next possession saw some flashes by the defense when Trent Barley and Dylan Thompson sacked the Patrician quarterback and the Longhorns held the Saints on a fourth down attempt.

The Saints closed out the scoring for the night with a 2-yard run with 10:30 to go in the fourth. A successful PAT resulted in the final score of the night, with the Saints defeating the Longhorns 33-6.

“We challenged the players at halftime and told them the score was 0-0,” Akins said after the game. “The score was 7-6 (in favor of the Saints) the second half.”

Akins noted that the two early turnovers that resulted in scores for the Saints put the team behind the eight ball early and those types of things are hard to overcome against good football teams. But, Akins is a believer in positive reinforcement. “I am extremely proud of the effort, proud of the way they fought. They battled to the last play.”

The Longhorns (0-1) will travel to Jackson next week to take on the Jackson Academy Eagles.