Morgan Academy falls on the road to Bessemer Academy

The AISA Class AAA Region 2 Morgan Academy Senators fell to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in regional play with a 56-28 loss to regional powerhouse the Bessemer Academy Rebels on the road on Thursday, Oct. 8. 

While the final score was a lopsided win for the Rebels, the Senators went toe to toe with Bessemer in an explosive first quarter.

The game at Bessemer had been set for Friday, Oct. 9, but was moved up to Thursday due to the approach of Hurricane Delta.

But there will be no rest for the Senators, who will next host Tuscaloosa Academy for an important regional bout Friday, Oct. 16.

Following Thursday’s contest, head coach Danny Raines said, ““Bessemer Academy is obviously one of - if not the best - teams in the state. I think our kids did a really good job. We played hard and made several plays.”

However, he said, “We need to put this one behind us and get ready for Tuscaloosa Academy. We are looking forward to playing in another big game - with so much at stake.”

When asked about the significance of the upcoming Tuscaloosa Academy game this Friday, Raines said, “We are playing for the No. 2 seed (in the AISA AAA playoffs) and a home playoff game.”

Despite the final score, the Senators had 385 total yards of offense against the powerhouse Bessemer Academy Rebels rushing for 253 yards and passing for 132 yards.

Senators’ quarterback Andrew Thomas completed 15 out of 25 passes for 132 yards.

Also for the Senators: Holt Utsey had 92 yards rushing on 18 carries; Josh Brown had 56 yards on six carries; Trey Jones had eight tackles (five solos and three assists); and John Allen Ingram had seven tackles (three solos and four assists).

Scoring plays for Morgan included: An Utsey 2-yard touchdown run and Wade Mason point after kick; a 50-yard Thomas touchdown run and Mason kick;  a 46-yard Cink Minter fumble recovery for a touchdown and Mason kick; and a 1-yard Allen Michael Creech touchdown run and Mason kick.

The fireworks began early in this contest when Bessemer went 53 yards in four plays to score their first touchdown on a 1-yard run at the 9:21 mark of the first quarter. And with the point after kick, took a 7-0 lead over Morgan Academy.

And it didn’t take long for the Senators to respond. Following a 73-yard pass play from Thomas to Chris Gardner, Utsey scored on a 2-yard run. Mason added the point after. And with 7:07 left in the first quarter, the game was tied 7-7.

But Bessemer would strike like lightning moments later when the Rebels scored on a 90-yard kickoff return and point after to take a 14-7 lead with 7:04 remaining in the first quarter.

The Senators came to play, however, and with 5:14 left in the game, Thomas scored on a 50-yard quarterback sneak. Mason again added the point after kick and the score was knotted at 14-14. 

Except for a loss to Glenwood School, the Bessemer Academy Rebels are 5-1, 3-0 in regional play for a reason and pulled away to a 42-14 lead at the half. The Rebels held off the Senators for a 56-28 final.