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Longhorns trounce Crenshaw to move to state semi-final round

Jeremy D. Smith , , , , ,
11-3-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Marengo Academy's Hayden Megginson crosses the goal line against the Crenshaw Academy Cougars.
11-3-16 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Hayden Megginson crosses the goal line against the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars.

LINDEN — Many of the Longhorn faithful were looking for a throwback performance Thursday night. Shortly after the Longhorns ran through a paper banner that read “Throwback to 2013”, an homage to the school’s last state championship win, Marengo Academy wasted little time shrugging off Crenshaw Christian with a 53-7 victory in the first round of the AISA, Class A playoffs.

11-3-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Marengo Academy's Jacob Beck takes off on a long runagainst the Crenshaw Academy Cougars.
11-3-16 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Jacob Beck takes off on a long run against the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars.

The throwback theme persisted over the course of the night as Marengo lined up often in its trademark Wing-T and mixed it with a Wishbone look while pounding out 43 run plays on the night.

The Longhorns hung 34 points on the board in the first quarter, including touchdowns on their first three offensive plays. Cameron Peppenhorst ran it in from 44 yards out before Gavin Tate hualed in a 48-yard touchdown strike from Jacob Beck. After a Weldon Aydelott fumble recovery, Hayden Megginson sprinted 10 yards for a touchdown and the rout was on. Aydelott then added a 4-yard touchdown run and Gavin Thompson scored from 32 yards away.

11-3-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Marengo Academy's Gavin Thompson breaks a long run against the Crenshaw Academy Cougars.
11-3-16 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Gavin Thompson breaks a long run against the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars.

Thompson added a 3-yard score in the second quarter before Megginson broke a 63-yard touchdown and the Longhorns stretched the halftime 46-0.

“We didn’t know really what to expect from them. The first quarter lasted forever. We scored the first three times we touched the ball and went up 20-0,” Marengo Academy coach Webb Tutt said. “That just put them behind the eight ball and caused us to gain some momentum. We were able to go into half up big. I was pleased with that.”

11-3-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Marengo Academy's Alex Owens (62) stops a Cougar runner in the backfield in the Longhorns game against Crenshaw Academy.
11-3-16 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Alex Owens (62) stops a Cougar runner in the backfield in the Longhorns game against Crenshaw Christian Academy.

Megginson scored a 12-yard run in the third quarter to cap the Marengo scoring. Quashun Laprade broke a 40-yard run on a lateral in the fourth quarter to account for the lone Cougar touchdown.

The Longhorns amassed 307 yards on the ground in the contest while using 10 different ball carriers. Megginson led the way with 107 yards and three touchdowns on only 10 carries.

Marengo (9-1) hosts the winner of Abbeville Christian and South Choctaw next Friday night in the state semi-final.

11-3-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Marengo Academy's William Drake breaks free against the Crenshaw Academy Cougars.
11-3-16 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s William Drake breaks free against the Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars.