ACA bounces back in a big way

Fri. September 07, 2012 at 10:52 p.m. | By Reed Robinson

The ACA Patriots and the Greene County Tigers line up during a game at American Christian Academy on Friday. (Photo by Erin Nelson)

TUSCALOOSA | After its defeat against Demopolis last week, American Christian Academy came back Friday to defeat Greene County, 66-6.

ACA’s defense, led by senior Stevie Jones, held the Tigers to 57 rushing yards on 26 attempts. The Patriots also held Greene County to only 10 yards on 2 of 9 passing.

“We did really good,” Jones said. “We needed our defensive line to do what they needed to do, and they did. We really prepared well from last week and we knew what to do.”

Along with limiting the Tigers’ offense to minimal yardage, the ACA defense made three interceptions that were returned for touchdowns. Colton Bradford, a sophomore, intercepted a pass from Greene County and took it back 55 yards for a touchdown. Cole Campbell, a junior defensive back, took back a 15-yard interception for a touchdown, as did freshman Charlie Thigpen, who ran back his interception 40 yards for a score.

Patriots coach John Causey was pleased with the performance on defense.

“We just did the same thing that we worked on in practice,” he said. “Our players didn’t lose sight of the season due to the loss last week. We improved this week like we should have.”

The Tigers’ offense and defense were very off-kilter, drawing several illegal formation penalties.

“Our numbers have been really low this year,” Greene County coach Bruce Jackson said. “With only two lettermen (back from last season), we have players that have never played varsity football before. They get confused from time to time, and especially playing a team as physical as ACA, they are going to get beat up.”

Running back Austin Akins, who scored the first two touchdowns for the Patriots, said ACA was able to act on Greene County’s problems.

“We took advantage of the confusion that the defense had,” Akins said. “The offensive line especially took advantage of the offset formation (of the Tigers’ defensive line). They were prepared and did a great job.”

After the first half, the game was reduced to five-minute quarters because of the lopsided score.

Parker Dare returned the second-half kickoff for an 80-yard touchdown for ACA. The Tigers answered with an 84-yard kickoff return by sophomore John Paige, reducing the deficit to 59-6.

ACA (1-1) will host Northside High School next Friday, while Greene County (0-2) will host Holt.