By Zackary Al-Khateeb

The Tuscaloosa News

 

TUSCALOOSA — The Tuscaloosa Academy Knights routed the Morgan Academy Senators in a battle of unbeatens Friday, 42-7, to advance to 4-0.

The Knights scored early and often, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter alone. The scores came off a six-yard run from running back Jaevon Walter and a nine-yard pass from Jonathan Plott to receiver Parker Farley.

The Knights lengthened their lead by eight in the second quarter off another touchdown from Plott, this time coming on a one-yard quarterback sneak. Entering halftime, the Knights led 22-0 and had held the Senators to a paltry 22 yards of total offense.

Tuscaloosa Academy head coach Robert Johnson praised his team for its physical play against the Senators.

“We played very well tonight,” Johnson said. “Morgan came to play. They’re a very well-coached team. They’re very disciplined, they came out to hit us hard tonight, but our guys responded…. The results speak for themselves.”

The Knights refused to let off in the third quarter, using a swarming defense and physical ground game to keep the game well within their grasp. Tuscaloosa scored the next two touchdowns to go up 36-0, effectively sealing Morgan Academy’s fate. The first score was a 43-yard scamper from running back Clay Thomas, while the second was another 30-yard touchdown connection between Plott and Farley.

Trevor Bates managed to score a late, one-yard touchdown run for the Senators, but the Knights struck again with a one-yarder from Will Atkinson. After a missed point after, the score was 42-7. Neither team threatened again.

The Knights held the Senators to a mere 86 yards of offense on the night, forcing five turnovers in the process. The Knights’ leaders on the night were Walter, who ran for 89 yards and a touchdown, and Plott, who went 6-for-13, for two touchdowns and 129 yards, and rushed for another.

“Honestly, I thought it was a very average performance,” Plott said. “Didn’t hit on a lot of passes that I really would have liked to get back myself. But my offensive line played great, my receivers played their hearts out, so I got to give it up to them, no doubt.”

Despite the convincing win, Johnson said his team had a lot of things to improve heading into next week’s game: too many penalties and too many turnovers.

The Senators will return home Friday to play Escambia Academy.