BY BRIAN HAMILTON
WHITE PINE – TKA responded to a 35-20 loss to Middle Tennessee Christian that dashed the Lions’ region championship hopes with a solid 42-27 region win over Lakeway Christian Friday night.
The King’s Academy jumped out to a quick 28-6 first quarter lead over Lakeside Christian behind four touchdowns by senior running back Nakelin McAfee.
Leading 14-0, the Lions were able to recover a fumble on a strip sack, giving the offense a short field, which led to a McAfee touchdown to make the score 21-0.
Lakeway Christian was finally able to get on the scoreboard when Levi Martin tossed a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jaylon Wilson, cutting the TKA lead to 21-6.
The Lions were able to score three more times before the intermission, giving TKA a 42-13 halftime lead.
The King’s Academy fumbled three times in the second half, allowing Lakeway to get back in the game.
Lakeway cut the Lions’ lead to 42-27 with 5:53 left in the game, as the offense began to gain momentum.
Late in the fourth, Lakeway’s Hunter Vaughn muffed a punt return that would have given Lakeway Christian life and Zeke Connaster was able to dive on the ball with just over three minutes left for a turnover.
TKA took over at Lakeway Christian’s 30-yard line and was able to go into the victory formation three times to come away with a 15-point win.
McAfee finished with 109 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards and four touchdowns, with all coming in the first half. The senior did not see action in the second half due to a lingering ankle injury.
The King’s Academy finished with 400 total yards after being held to just 183 against Middle Tennessee Christian the previous week.
“They came out and did their job, especially in the first half,” TKA head coach Jonathan Sellers said. “I’m really proud of how they responded after last week.”
The King’s Academy (5-2, 2-1 Class A East Region) will travel to Webb-Bell Buckle (0-7, 0-2) on October 22 in the Lion’s final region contest.
Lakeway Christian (2-5, 0-2 Class A East Region) will go on the road to face Friendship Christian (5-3, 1-1) on October 22.