Sunday, May 12, 2024

THE WEST ALABAMA WATCHMAN

Keeping Watch On Our Community

Sports The Latest 

Megginson, Thompson lead ground attack in Longhorns win over Wildcats

Michael Clements , , , , , ,
10-7-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Weldon Aydelott (35) scores Marengo Academy's first touchdown against Wilcox Academy.
10-7-16 — Linden, Ala. — Weldon Aydelott (35) scores Marengo Academy’s first touchdown against Wilcox Academy.

Hayden Megginson and Gavin Thompson accounted for 171 of Marengo Academy’s 257 yards rushing in the Longhorns win over region rival Wilcox Academy Friday night. Megginson had six carries for 94 yards, with the last two being touchdown runs of 25 and 11 yards, respectively. Gavin Thompson had 13 carries for 77 yards with a one-yard scoring run.

10-7-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Longhorn Robert Tutt returns an interception against Wilcox Academy. The return would go for a touchdown, but would be called back on a penalty for an illegal block.
10-7-16 — Linden, Ala. — Longhorn Robert Tutt returns an interception against Wilcox Academy. The return would go for a touchdown, but would be called back on a penalty for an illegal block.

After trading a couple of three-and-outs to start the game, the Longhorns benefitted from a nine yard punt to take over on the Wildcats’ 24-yard line. Weldon Aydelott rumbled in from five yards out and Megginson added the PAT for a 7-0 Longhorn lead with 7:02 to go in the first quarter.

The Longhorns quickly found themselves inside the 10-yard line after another Wildcat punt. However, a loss of 20 on a sideline to sideline run moved the Longhorns back to the 29. Runs by Megginson and Jacob Beck moved the ball back to the 12-yard line. With 1:37 to go in the first quarter, quarterback Robert Tutt hit tight end Landon Houlditch in the end zone on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Megginson’s PAT gave the Longhorns a 14-0 lead.

With 9:57 to go in the second quarter, Aydelott found the end zone from three yards out for his second touchdown of the night. Megginson added the PAT and the ‘Horns took a 21-0 lead.

On the Wildcats’ next possession, Tutt picked off a pass, but had a pass of his own picked off by the Wildcats a few plays later. Aydelott stuffed a run on a fourth down conversion attempt by Wilcox and the Longhorns were back on offense. A few plays later, Megginson coasted in from 25 yards out and gave the ‘Horns a 28-0 lead after converting the PAT, as well.

10-7-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Gavin Thompson heads into the end zone against Wilcox Academy.
10-7-16 — Linden, Ala. — Gavin Thompson heads into the end zone against Wilcox Academy.

Wilcox received the kickoff to start the second half, but D.J. Nettles would recover a Wildcat fumble at the 30. Megginson would cash in with an 11-yard run for touchdowns on back-to-back carries. Megginson’s PAT stretched the Longhorn lead to 35-0 with 9:03 to go in the third.

After Tutt picked off his second pass of the game, Thompson punched it in from one yard out. The PAT was good and the Longhorns took a 42-0 lead with 11:56 to go in the game.

On the ensuing Wildcat possession, Nick Nelson forced a fumble that was recovered by Collin Sheffield. Soon after, the Longhorns were later forced to punt.

The ‘Horns last touchdown of the game came at the 2:49 mark of the fourth quarter, as Cameron Peppenhorst dove over the goal line from five yards out. Austen Day added the PAT to give the Longhorns their final margin of victory at 49-0.

“I thought defensively, we played really well. On offense, we sputtered at times but we got the job done, so I’m pleased,” head coach Webb Tutt said after the game. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do. Our next opponent (Evangel Christian) is undefeated and the next is South Choctaw, who has one loss. We’ve got to have our A-game to have a chance against either one of them.”

10-7-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Nick Nelson forces a fumble against Wilcox Academy. The fumble was recoverd by Collin Sheffield.
10-7-16 — Linden, Ala. — Nick Nelson forces a fumble against Wilcox Academy. The fumble was recoverd by Collin Sheffield.

Megginson carried the ball six times for 94 yards and two touchdowns. Thompson added 77 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Peppenhorst gained 40 yards on 8 carries with one touchdown and Jacob Beck added 38 yards on 11 carries. Tutt connected on six of 10 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. Houlditch had four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. Daniel McCray had a 30 yard catch.

Defensively, Tutt had six tackles and two interceptions. Hunter Parker added five tackles and three assists. Sheffield had five tackles, two assists and a fumble recovery. Aydelott contributed five tackles, two assists and one sack. Austen Day added five tackles and one assist. D.J. Nettles had five tackles and a fumble recovery.

Marengo Academy (6-1, 5-0) will travel to Evangel Christian for a non-region game next week.

10-7-16 -- Linden, Ala. -- Marengo Academy's Cameron Peppenhorst dives into the end zone for the Longhorn's last touchdown against Wilcox Academy.
10-7-16 — Linden, Ala. — Marengo Academy’s Cameron Peppenhorst dives into the end zone for the Longhorn’s last touchdown against Wilcox Academy.