Friday night, the American Christian Patriots (8-0, 6-0) dismantled the Dallas County Hornets (3-5, 3-3) 47-16. From start to finish, ACA dominated with over 330 total yards and seven total touchdowns. This eighth straight win secured ACA a third straight region title.

“I thought we came out tonight and executed very well,” Patriots head coach Chris Smelley said. “I’m excited for our team in working hard and earning that.”

Leading the way for the Pats, senior running back Brandon Waller rushed for 108 yards. Waller recorded two touchdowns and averaged 7.2 yards a carry. Also assisting in the offensive fireworks, senior quarterback Hunter Sute passed for 137 yards and three touchdowns, going 9-for-13. Also scoring for the Patriots was Sawyer Deerman, who passed for a touchdown and recorded a rushing touchdown.

Not only did the Patriots’ offense put on a show. The ACA defense held the Hornets to only 58 passing yards. Senior cornerback and wide receiver Kamari Lassiter, fresh off an invite to the 2021 All-American Bowl, recorded several tackles and a 100-yard pick-six that was called back due to an inadvertent whistle.

Photo Courtesy of JR Moore.
Photo Courtesy of JR Moore.
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“It is a huge honor for the team, and I know our team is excited for him,” Smelley said about Lassiter’s performance. “He just works so hard to better himself. He is so competitive and has such a good inner drive.”

Despite the loss, Dallas County recorded 269 total yards. Running back Keith Thomas was the star of the Hornet offense with 78 yards and one rushing touchdown. Running back Markeice Stallworth helped the efforts, as well, with 78 yards and the other Dallas County touchdown.

While the night didn’t turn out ideally for Dallas County, head coach Heath Levert still had praise for his team.

“We really showed a lot of resiliency when things didn’t go our way. We really did some things on offense that were really good.”

Levert also had high praise for the Patriots, who are one region win away from a third straight undefeated regional record.

“They have a very explosive offense. We did what we could on offense to try to stop them. They are coached well, but I am proud as heck of my team.”

American Christian Academy will close out their region schedule next week with a homestand against the Tigers of West Blocton. As for the playoffs, the Patriots have locked the No. 1 seed for Region 3 of 4A.

While Dallas County’s playoff chances were set back by this loss, the Hornets can still make a last-second push with a road trip to Montevallo next week.

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