BY BRIAN HAMILTON
SEYMOUR – The King’s Academy finally was able to play their first home game of the season on Friday night, which was homecoming, and defeated Grace Christian by a score of 22-20.
“We needed some positive momentum,” TKA head coach Jonathan Sellers said. “We start region play next week. We’re excited and I think this is going to carry over to next week and show that these guys’ hard work is paying off.”
The Lions were originally supposed to play their first home game on Week 2, but COVID-19 forced Meigs County to forfeit the game. Of course, last week’s game with The Howard School in Chattanooga was also cancelled, but TKA was able to schedule a road game with Heritage in Ringgold, Georgia to make up for the game.
The win was also the Lions’ first actual win, outside of the forfeit win over Meigs County.
TKA was able to force a safety on the first play of the game to take a 2-0 lead. The Lions were able to force an interception and capitalize with a Nakelin McAfee touchdown for a 9-0 lead with 2:09 left in the first quarter.
On it’s next possession, Grace Christian was able to mount a successful drive, resulting in a 2-yard touchdown run by Riley King. The score was now 9-7 with 5:20 to go until halftime.
A key third down conversion would keep TKA’s ensuing drive alive and on the next play, McAfee scooted to the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown and a 16-7 lead with 2:04 left until intermission.
McAfee ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, as the Lions went to halftime with a 16-7 advantage.
Tyler Overdorf was named Homecoming King and Katelyn Cook as Homecoming Queen during the halftime festivities.
TKA’s Tyler Overdorf was named Homecoming King and Katelyn Cook was named Homecoming Queen during the Lions’ halftime festivities Friday night. Photo Courtesy of The King’s Academy
A 51-yard pass from Elijah Williams-Smith to Zeke Connatser for a touchdown put TKA ahead 22-7 in the second half, but the extra-point was missed, leaving the Lions with a 22-7 early in the third quarter.
The Rams would fight back, however, as Jackson Eller blocked a punt, which was recovered by Alex Blackburn for a Grace Christian touchdown, making the score 22-14 with just 5:09 remaining.
Jake Boudreaux then found Kadell Robinson for a 46-yard touchdown pass with 2:17 left. It appeared that the Lions’ missed extra-point attempt early in the third quarter could come back to haunt them, as the Rams lined up for the two-point conversion attempt.
TKA would hold, however, as the Lions sacked Boudreaux, preserving a 22-20 homecoming win.
Five turnovers would help guide TKA to victory, as Connatser grabbed three interceptions on the night.