Raiders knock off defending champs
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 4, 2000
PRATTVILLE – The ninth ranked SMCA Raiders improved to 6-0 with a convincing 48 – 6 win over last year’s AISA 1A champs the Autauga Generals.
SMCA took the opening kickoff and drove the field in five plays scoring on a 18 yard run by Hunter Royal. John Andrews passed to Lee Kelly for the PAT. SMCA led 8-0 with 9:05 to go in the first..
Trey Houlton stopped the Generals’ first drive by intercepting a pass and returning it 34 yards to the 37-yard line. John Andrews hit Michael Paul Durden on the next play for the TD. Paul Ramirez kicked his 17th consecutive extra point. to make it 15-0 in favor of the Raiders.
SMCA exploded for for touchdowns in the first 4:23 of the second quarter. The first TD was a 75 yard punt return by Hunter Royal. Ramirez missed the PAT for the first time in four games.
A Stephen Bozeman interception on Autauga’s first play put the Raiders offense back on the field. An unsportsman-like conduct call on the Generals gave the Raiders the ball on the 45-yard line. Royal took the pitch outside for a 55 yard scoring romp.
On the ensuing kickoff, Ramirez recovered a General fumble on the 4- yard line. Lee Kelly punched it in from there to give the Raiders a 34-0 lead.
Three plays later Autagua lost the ball again. This time the loose ball was recovered by defensive lineman Josh Rials for the Raider touchdown. SMCA led 41- 0 with 7:23 left to go in the first half.
Autauga opened the second half with a good drive but turned the ball over on downs at the 4-yard line. Rick Hall who had relived Kelly at fullback carried the ball 6 times for 93 yards on the 96 yard scoring drive. SMCA lead 48-0 with 3:12 to go in the third.
Autauga’s only score came in the fourth quarter on the only TD pass given up by SMCA all year.
Hunter Royal scored three touchdowns for the Raiders. He rushed four times for 84 yards and had a 75 yard punt return for a touchdown. John Andrews completed seven of 12 passes for 82 yards and one TD. Michael Paul Durden caught two passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. Lee Kelly rushed five times for 20 yards and one TD and Rick Hall rushed six times for 93 yards and one touchdown.
Hunter Royal and Paul Ramirez led the Raiders in tackles. Trey Houlton had two interceptions while Stephen Bozeman had one interception.
Next week SMCA will play area rival Crenshaw Christian Academy in Luverne.