Tuscaloosa Academy Dominates Time of Possession in Win Over Vincent
The Tuscaloosa Academy Knights had high hopes coming into the season following a trip to last year's state title game. This year, a majority of the responsibility to return falls on the shoulders of star junior quarterback Mark Norris. Norris has played well to start the year, and continued that with a two-touchdown performance en route to a dominant 30-12 victory over Vincent High School to kick off their homecoming weekend.
The Knights jumped out early following a punt from Vincent to start the game, as Norris drove his team down the field, highlighted by a 30-yard carry by the junior. He capped it off with an 18-yard touchdown strike on a post over the middle of the field to Mathew Atkins in the end zone.
The Vincent Yellow Jackets struggled to move the ball all night. They didn't find the endzone until late in the first half off the arm of junior quarterback Daniel Mims. Mims was constantly under pressure all night and took several huge hits throughout, including one that brought him out of the game on their last drive of the half.
The score heading into the locker room was 10-6, with the Knights on top.
Tuscaloosa Academy grew the lead early in the second half, driving down the field and capping it off with a three-yard touchdown from Harwood Beeker.
The Yellow Jackets did what they could to keep it close on defense, with a pick-six off of Norris to cut the lead to 17-12 following a failed two-point try. That was the last of the scoring for Vincent, though. Late in the third, Beau Cochran, son of former national champion Alabama strength coach Scott Cochran, took the handoff from Norris and scampered 25 yards into the endzone. Halfway through his run, Cochran lost the football, but a lucky bounce sent the ball straight back into his hands, and he finished the run with a house call.
Neither Norris nor Cochran's day was done, however, as they put the final points of the night on the board via a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter following an interception to end the third from the TA defense.
Following the game, head coach John Wright had high praise for his team, more specifically Norris and his defense.
The Knights will travel to Lamar County next Friday in an attempt to build off of their big start.