ACHS loses to Bryan Allen, 31-12

By JON WALK / Special Writer

CLIFTON - If there's a third time in a TAPPS Six-Man state championship game in 1997 for the Abilene Christian High Panthers, it has to be the charm.

Head coach Steve Woods' club, for the second time in as many years, was unable to shed the bridesmaid's role as it fell to defeat here in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Six-Man state championship game to the Bryan Allen Academy Rams, 31-12, Friday night.

ACHS, which lost in last year's title game to five-time champion Midland Christian, ended the year at 11-2 while the 10-1 Rams won the first state championship of any kind in Bryan in 75 years.

However, that was no consolation to Woods and his Panthers as Allen Academy combined a steady first-half running attack and a defense that flustered all-district quarterback John Estes IV all night long.

"Their defense changed up real often," Woods said. "They never gave our offense the same look twice. Our guys ran the same routes they always do and we had some guys open. But Bryan Allen Academy played a great ballgame."

The Rams scored on their first drive, just 1:05 into the game.

Running back Mahdi Hayes, who was named the game's most valuable player for his efforts on both sides of the ball, gained 12 yards on his first carry before busting loose for a 30-yard touchdown run.

Nathan Boyd's PAT kick gave the Rams a quick 8-0 lead.

Under stifling defensive pressure which took the Panthers away from their game plan early, ACHS failed to convert on its first two possessions. Panther Paden Parker partially blocked a Boyd 32-yard field goal attempt between the two drives.

Allen Academy stretched the lead to 16-0 when the Rams put together a 10-play, 77-yard drive that ended the first quarter. Tailback Brant Hickerson capped it off 40 seconds into the second quarter on a 7-yard sweep to the left side.

Boyd's second of three conversion kicks made it 16-0.

Seeking quick redemption, ACHS set up shop at its 29-yard line. Estes found Jason Strader streaking up the sideline and connected with him on a 50-yard pass-and-run, and Strader was finally pulled down at the 1-yard line.

One play later, David Van Rheenen found the end zone with 8:36 left in the half. Estes' kick was wide left, but the Panthers had cut the lead to 16-6.

Allen Academy, though, proved relentless.

Shun Dove returned the kickoff to midfield and six plays later Nick Zeig capped off the drive with a 3-yard run. Boyd's PAT increased the lead to 24-6 at the 6:20 mark.

After the Panthers were unable to score on their next possession, the Rams suffered their first miscue of the night as Zeig fumbled on a third-and-10 sweep.

Stan Bailey pounced on the ball with 3:02 left if the half, giving ACHS new life.

Starting at their 31-yard line, the Panthers covered the necessary 49 yards in nine plays. Estes carried and threw the ball three times each on the drive which culminated with his 1-yard touchdown toss to Robert Ascencio with 34 seconds left in the half.

Defense and miscues were most of the storyline in the second half as neither team was able to convert until the Rams added their final score when Hickerson tallied his second touchdown with a 1-yard run that ended a 6-play, 46-yard drive with 25 seconds left.