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GAHANNA -- The Columbus Academy Vikings took advantage of opportunities late in the game and used its strong running attack to defeat the Amanda-Clearcreek Aces, the defending Division V state champions, 23-8 Friday at the Academy. Academy (3-0) had just 225 yards in total offense, but held Amanda (1-1) to only 99 yards. The Viking running game racked up 186 of their total, with three running backs rushing for 60 yards or more -- Ray Jones for 60 yards, Scott Smith for 62 and Andrew Dunn for 69. Amanda didn’t help themselves, either. The Aces turned the ball over a whopping six times in the game, four times on lost fumbles. Amanda also threw two interceptions, both picked by Academy’s Dunn, and had one returned for a touchdown in the final period. Dunn, in fact, accounted for all but six of the Vikings’ points. He opened the scoring in the first quarter, hitting a 22-yard field goal with 7:38 left in the period. Amanda would take the lead before the end of the quarter, though, as Thad Helber picked up an Academy fumble and returned it 11 yards to the Viking 13. Six plays later, Ace quarterback David Conley called his own number and scored from a yard out. Matt McCain fumbled the snap from center on the extra-point attempt, but picked up the ball and ran around the left side and in for the two-point conversion. But Academy would take the lead, for good it turned out, with 9:01 left in the second quarter as Dunn capped a four-play, 54-yard drive with an 11-yard run around left end, giving the hosts a 10-8 lead at the half. Academy had a nearly six-minute drive stall when Dunn just missed a 44-yard field goal attempt, but took the ball back soon after on an Amanda fumble. Scott Smith scored from nine yards out on the first play of the final period to give Academy a 16-8 lead. Dunn’s interception return of 26 yards in the final quarter put the game on ice. Dunn also completed 4-of-8 passes for 39 yards, three of them to Jim Murray for 27 yards. Amanda’s Helber led all rushers with 70 yards on 18 carries. Conley was 3-of-10 passing for 23 yards with the two picks. Kive Kraft had two receptions for 15 yards to lead the Aces in that category. Academy will host Bexley next Friday in a BAC crossover game, while Amanda opens its Mid-State League slate the same night hosting Columbus Hamilton Township. SCORE BY QUARTERS Amanda-Clearcreek................8.....0.....0.....0..........8 Columbus Academy................3.....7.....0...13.........23 SCORING SUMMARY FIRST QUARTER CA-FG Andrew Dunn 22, 7:38. (5 plays, 16 yards, TOP 2:38) AC-David Conley 1 run (Matt McCain run), 1:10. (6 plays, 13 yards, TOP 2:55) SECOND QUARTER CA-Andrew Dunn 11 run (Andrew Dunn kick), 9:01. (4 plays, 54 yards, TOP 1:16) FOURTH QUARTER CA-Scott Smith 9 run (kick failed), 11:55. (3 plays, 29 yards, TOP 1:12) CA-Andrew Dunn 26 interception return (Andrew Dunn kick), 6:25. TEAM STATISTICS.....................AC.................CA First Downs.......................................7...................11 Rushes-Yards............................37-76............38-186 Passing Yards..................................23...................39 Comp-Att-Int...........................3-10-2..............4-8-1 Total Offense...................................99.................225 Punts-Avg.................................5-32.6............3-24.7 Fumbles-Lost.................................6-4.................2-1 Penalties-Yards............................5-45...............6-55 Time of Possession......................24:50..............23:10 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING: Amanda-Clearcreek-Thad Helber 18-70, Jayson Marshall 8-19, Justin Olney 4-6, Justin Reeves 0-1, David Conley 7-(-20). Columbus Academy-Andrew Dunn 12-69, Scott Smith 15-62, Ray Jones 9-60, Drew Johnson 1-0, Dan LaValle 1-(-5). PASSING: Amanda-Clearcreek-David Conley 3-10-2-23. Columbus Academy-Andrew Dunn 4-8-1-39. RECEIVING: Amanda-Clearcreek-Kive Kraft 2-15, Justin Reeves 1-8. Columbus Academy-Jim Murray 3-27, Gundy Lane 1-12. INTERCEPTIONS: Amanda-Clearcreek-Kive Kraft 1-6. Columbus Academy-Andrew Dunn 2-71. clecinosu |