The Knights survive and advance on the back of a superb defensive performance
For most of the season, Mark Norris has been the engine behind a majority of Tuscaloosa Academy's wins so far. But in a playoff environment like the one we saw tonight, you know you're going to get the best shot the other team has to offer. Pleasant Valley gave TA all of their best shots, but it wasn't enough as the Knights escaped and moved on in the playoffs on the back of a 23-13 home playoff win.
The game started out slowly, with both teams punting on their first two possessions. But while neither team sustained success on offense, numerous flashes from both sides showed the makings of a shootout. Most of that came from the two signal callers on either sideline. Mark Norris drudged his team down the field for most of the evening while Braxton Salster did the same for Pleasant Valley. Salster's night took a rough turn, however, as he rolled his ankle late in the first quarter; he would not return until the second half.
Despite the injury to their quarterback and a third consecutive punt, Pleasant Valley was the first team to capitalize on an opportunity after a muffed punt by Beau Cochran set the Raiders up at the Knights' 15-yard line. Despite the lack of a starting quarterback, the Raiders were able to muscle their way into the endzone to draw first blood and go up 7-0.
After a couple more empty possessions from both teams, the Knights got the ball back with two minutes and a chance to score, and score they did. Norris worked his team down the field and into position for him to find his receiver for a touchdown from 22 yards out. It was no ordinary touchdown, however, as it came on not only 4th down, but 4th and 14 at that. The score heading into the locker room was 7-7, but after such a back-and-forth first half, I'm sure both teams were happy to not be trailing.
The Knights took possession to get things going in the second half and wasted no time putting themselves in front. After maneuvering downfield and inside the red zone, the Knights finally took the lead after Ty Johnson hit paydirt on a 13-yard touchdown run. It was at that point that the Knights' defense put their foot on the pedal and started to put their stamp on this ballgame. Following a poor attempt at a pooch punt from Salster, the Knights took over near midfield.
After finding themselves in a 3rd and long early in the drive, Mark Norris put on his cape and went to work, picking up 50 yards on a scramble inside the ten. TA would settle for a field goal and grow the lead to 17-7.
By the time the 4th quarter rolled around, the Raiders' offensive struggles had yet to be solved, and TA got the ball back quickly. Salster, who made his return on the Raiders' opening drive of the second half, made his presence known with a pick-six off of Norris to cut the lead to four and keep his team alive.
That would, however, be the end of Pleasant Valley's night on the scoreboard. After a cluttery fourth quarter that saw several flags on seemingly every possession, Tuscaloosa Academy got the stop it needed and was able to kneel out the clock and advance to the next round.
In that next round awaits Coosa Christian, a team that TA defeated at home earlier in October. It's hard to beat a team twice, especially when that team is coached by Rush Propst. This time, the rematch will take place on the road as the Knights continue their march towards a second consecutive state title appearance.