Montgomery Academy cruises past Slocomb to secure playoff berth
Ali Nelson is tackled by Slocomb’s Hayes Hatton in Montgomery Academy’s win at McLemore Field on Friday. (Ryan Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
Midway through the second quarter, Montgomery Academy had a 38-point lead on the visiting Red Tops from Slocomb and the Eagles appeared just as focused as they had been the previous week against rival Trinity, despite Slocomb’s struggles that were obvious from the outset.
“Coach told us a couple of weeks ago that state championship teams dominate these games,” Montgomery Academy junior Braden Gordon said. “If we want to prove that we’re a state championship team, we’ve got to dominate these types of teams. It cannot be close, it cannot be like they have hope. We have to take that from away from them and we did that tonight.”
Montgomery Academy went on to a commanding 52-0 victory at McLemore Field on Friday night that included a running clock in the second half and a Slocomb team that was held without a first down for the entire contest.
“I really don’t pay attention to stuff like that,” Montgomery Academy coach Ethan McBride said. “Again, we’re just trying to do our thing.”
Montgomery Academy (6-1) improved to 5-0 in 3A Region 2 play, wrapping up a playoff berth in the process. The Eagles have already defeated second-place Trinity (4-1) and Wicksburg (4-1) as well as fourth-place Houston Academy (3-2) with region games remaining against Prattville Christian and Alabama Christian.
“I know where we stand as far as being in the driver’s seat,” McBride said. “As far as I’m concerned, my focus is just on taking care of business each week and then this thing sorting itself out. Look, when you’ve gotten upset before (last year at Wicksburg), you’ll never take any game for granted and you’ll lock in on every single one of them. And that’s what we’re going to do.”
The Eagles dominated from the opening whistle, with William Marks recovering Slocomb’s onside kick to open the game. MA scored seven plays later on a 1-yard run by Ali Nelson to start the offensive explosion.
There was a 19-yard touchdown run by Gordon on the next possession before the Eagles scored their third touchdown on a 12-yard return by John Bennett Lester after Jess Veale blocked Yancy Matthews’ punt. On Montgomery Academy’s next possession, Reid McBride threw a quick pass in the flat to Veale that turned into a 26-yard sprint to the end zone and a 28-0 lead with 1:46 remaining in the opening quarter.
Still, the Eagles appeared focus and alert as 15 of the 22 first-half plays by the Slocomb offense failed to gain any yardage.
“One, it’s a sign of maturity with our team,” McBride said, “because I’ve had younger teams that haven’t handled these games nearly as well. Two, it’s a testament to how we go about every day. We don’t set extrinsic goals. Everything is intrinsic. I want to be the best version of myself that I can be. So that means that regardless of opponent, regardless of score, regardless of scenario, I’m trying to fix whatever I am struggling with.”
Gordon didn’t appear to be struggling on either side of the ball. He lined up in the backfield and ran for 77 yards and a touchdown on seven carries to lead the offense, while recording five tackles, a sack and two quarterback pressures to lead the defense.
McBride said the game strategy of co-offensive coordinators Jeremy Arant and Brad Parker called for more runs by Gordon, who normally lines up at receiver.
“Coach Arant and Coach Parker are always cooking something up, so I have full faith in whatever they’re seeing on film,” McBride said. “In this scenario, they thought a heavier body running back was going to be effective.”
“I think he didn’t want to put too much on me this game,” Gordon said. “Why do it when you don’t have to? They weren’t stopping the run. If they can’t stop it, why change it?”
Nelson added a 3-yard scoring run and Jarrett Friendly had an 8-yard touchdown reception for a 45-0 lead at the half. The second half, which featured just 22 combined plays from both teams, included a 13-yard touchdown run by Kingston Nelson midway through the third quarter as Montgomery Academy rested its starters.
Weston Sasser completed 6 of 18 passes for 15 yards to lead the Red Tops, while running back Brody Keel finished with 10 yards on seven carries as Slocomb managed just 10 total yards.