SMCA opened its quest for the AISA 1A championship without the services of the AISA’s leading passer (John Andrews) and their leading scorer (Hunter Royal). The injured players were able to enjoy the game from the sideline as the Raiders manhandled the Generals 47-7.

SMCA jumped out to 14-0 lead in the first quarter. SMCA’s offense led by freshman QB Ryne Rials scored on an 11-play drive, on which they ran the ball 10 straight times. Sophomore QB Adam Hughes then came in to throw a 32 yard TD pass to Michael Paul Durden. Durden also scored on a 50 yard punt return with thirty seconds to go.

A Rick Hall fumble recover highlighted a defense that held the Generals to a -5 yards in the first quarter.

Autauga closed the score to 14 -7 in the second quarter on their only drive of the night. Zach Golson tossed a 15 yard TD pass to Brandon Atcheson.

SMCA quickly regained control of the game scoring 3 Tds in the next 4 minutes. Sophomore Trey Houlton ran for a 64 yard TD with 4:37 to go in the second quarter. Houlton then caught a 86 yard TD pass from Rials with 2:52 left. A sack by Alex Long and a fake punt stopped by Jason Broadway and Tommy Means give the Raiders the ball on the 33 yard line. Lee Kelley ran the ball three times, scoring from six yards out to give SMCA a 35-7 half-time lead.

In the second half the Raiders would score two more times and limit the Generals to just two first downs. Adam Hughes, now at fullback, would score on an eight-yard run in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter Houlton would score his third TD of the night on a 78 yard run.

With Durden’s two first quarter scores this year’s Raider team became the highest scoring team in SMCA history. Trey Houlton had a tremendous game replacing Royal at tailback. Houlton rushed 12 times for 167 yards and caught one pass for 86 yards scoring three Tds. Lee Kelley added 94 yards on 13 carries as the Raiders rushed for 347 yards. Rials and Hughes combined for 118 yards passing subbing for the injured Andrews.

The Raider defense held Autauga to just 55 yards rushing and 72 yards passing. Paul Ramirez and Jason Broadway led SMCA with seven tackles each. Rick Hall and Alex Long each added five tackles.

Next week SMCA will host Warrior Academy for the right to advance to the championship game November 17 at Troy State University.