Tuscaloosa Academy QB Accounts for Five Scores in Playoff Win

A five touchdown performance from junior Tuscaloosa Academy quarterback Preston Lancaster over Southeastern sent the Knights to round three of the AHSAA Class 2A playoffs Friday.

Key Players

Preston Lancaster, QB, Tuscaloosa Academy - 22/26 Passing | 299 Yds | 3 Pass TD | 2 Rush TD | INT

Kaleb Colgrove, WR, Tuscaloosa Academy - 6/6 Rec | 63 Rec Yds | 2 TD

Ellis Hamiter, WR/DB, Tuscaloosa Academy - Offense: 3/4 Rec | 57 Rec Yds, Defense: INT, Pass Breakup

Simon Metriv, K, Tuscaloosa Academy - 5/5 EXP Att | 1/1 FG (27 yds)

Mills Powell, WR, Tuscaloosa Academy - 6/7 Rec | 88 Rec Yds

Jarrod Williams, RB, Southeastern - 36 Rush | 116 Rush yards | Rush TD | 3/4 Rec | 60 Rec Yds

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Two early miscues at home nearly meant disaster for the Knights as they failed to recover the onside opening kick and turned the ball over during their opening drive on offense. The Mustangs couldn't capitalize on good footing and Tuscaloosa Academy's offense managed to take control just before the end of the first quarter.

Lancaster's first of three scores through the air went to senior receiver James Stanard to put TA up 7-0. The Knights tacked on another halfway through the second quarter when Lancaster connected with junior receiver Kaleb Colgrove.

Southeastern's offensive attack stayed consistent throughout the first half, eventually allowing the Mustangs' senior rusher Jarrod Williams to tally their only score of the night before a missed two-point conversion attempt.

However, with 42 seconds remaining in the half, TA's offense put together a four-play, 68-yard drive capped off by a Lancaster rushing score to zap any kind of confidence built by Southeastern's previous drive.

The home team took a 21-6 lead into the locker room at halftime and didn't really take the foot off the gas for the final 24 minutes of play. Tuscaloosa Academy had a 28-6 lead after another Lancaster-Colgrove connection with 6:47 left in the third quarter.

Knights junior defensive back Ellis Hamiter came up with an interception that set up Lancaster for another short yardage score on the ground for a 35-6 lead.

Junior TA kicker Simon Metriv didn't miss any of his five extra point attempts and made the final score 38-6 with a 27-yard field goal halfway through the fourth quarter.

What's next?

The Knights have a 140-mile trip to North East Alabama the day after Thanksgiving for a round three matchup with the one-loss Pisgah Eagles.

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Photos from the 2023 HSFB season in West Alabama