PA’s Bodhi Parham attempts to tackle Kingwood Academy’s Peyton Long during the second quarter.
By Brian Hamilton, Sports Correspondent
Pickens Academy struggled to move the ball Friday night in their season opener against Kingwood Christian, falling 34-0. The Lions jumped out to an early 20-0 first quarter lead and never looked back. The Pirates would never make it inside the red zone. Including the jamboree game against Oak Hill last week, Pickens Academy has yet to find the end zone this season.
“It’s as bad as I’ve ever been a part of,” Pickens Academy head coach Wade Goodman said. “It’s going to take a bad team for us to beat the way we are blocking right now.”
Pickens Academy received the opening kickoff and would have to punt after Seth Peeks returned the opening kickoff for 32 yards into Kingwood Academy territory. The Lions would capitalize on their first drive, as Garrett Picklesimer threw a touchdown pass to Garrett Helmers to putting Kingwood up 7-0 with 8:11 remaining in the first quarter.
On Kingwood’s next possession, running back Tyler West went in the end zone on a 29-yard touchdown run with 5:28 left in the first period to put the Lions in front 14-0. Peeks would fumble the ensuing kickoff return, which was recovered by West. For the first time in the game, the Pirates held their own and forced a Kingwood punt.
However, Pickens Academy was forced to punt on their next possession. Bodhi Parham’s punt went off the side of his foot and took a Kingwood bounce, which resulted in a punt of -1 net yards, setting the Lions up with good field position at the Pirates’ 13-yard line. Peyton Long then went into the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining in the first quarter. The snap on the extra point was botched, giving Kingwood a 20-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Pirates’ second turnover of the game would come on downs with 7:36 remaining in the first half. West would then break off a 29-yard run down to the Pickens Academy 2-yard line. After a Pickens Academy penalty, which moved the ball to the 1-yard line, Long would score his second rushing touchdown of the game for a 27-0 Kingwood lead. The Lions would miss a 38-yard field goal as the clock expired in the first half, taking a 27-0 lead to the locker room.
Pickens Academy was able to force a turnover on downs with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter to thwart another Kingwood scoring threat, but the Pirates were unable to move the ball, as the Lions maintained a 27-0 lead after three quarters of play.
See complete story in the Pickens County Herald.
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