RTCA Rolls Over Jaguars
Courtesy of RTCA
The Robert Toombs Crusaders came away Friday night 1-0 in Region play with a decisive 49-12 victory over Thomas Jefferson Academy in Louisville.
The Crusaders got on the board less than 30 seconds into the game with a 5-yard touchdown run from Ahmelion Jones, and Hayden Meeks tacked on the extra point to take a 7-0 lead.
The Crusader defense was able to hold strong and get the ball back for the offense and one play later, David Hill doubled the Crusader lead with an 80-yard touchdown run. Meeks added the extra point to take a 14-0 lead over TJ.
The defense held strong again and forced a punt on the following TJ possession. Four plays later, after runs from Aaron Hankerson and Tripp Durden; Justin Powell broke through the goal line for the third score for the Crusaders. After the PAT from Meeks, it was a 21-0 lead for the Crusaders.
The defense was able to foil the Jaguar offense for the third straight possession, and a few plays later Powell found the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Meeks tacked on the extra point, and the Crusaders enjoyed a 28-0 lead in the second quarter.
The final score of the first half came off of an intercepted Thomas Jefferson pass by senior linebacker Landen Sauls, who then was led 85 yards to the end zone by a host of Crusaders for a pick-six as time ran out in the first half. Meeks again made the extra point as RTCA took a 35-0 lead into halftime.
The opening second half possession for the Jaguars ended with an Ahmelion Jones interception. Two offensive plays later, Jones found the end zone off of a 57yard run for his second touchdown of the night and a 42-0 lead following the Meeks PAT.
Thomas Jefferson was able to get on the board twice late in the fourth quarter.
Justin Powell finished off the RTCA scoring with a touchdown in the fourth on a 39-yard run and a Meeks extra point. That made the final score, 49-12.
The top 3 offensive players of the game were Powell, Jones, and Hill. Powell with 88 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Jones with 72 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, and Hill with 129 rushing yards and 1 touchdown.
The top 3 defensive players of the game were Landen Sauls, Ahmelion Jones, and David Hill. Sauls with 8 tackles and 1 touchdown. Jones with 8 tackles and 1 interception. Hill had 6 tackles.
Coach Matt Meeks said, 'It was a great team win for the guys. Many people were involved and contributed in all facets of the game. It's always good to get the 1st Region win and set yourself up for a chance to be Region Champions with another win this upcoming Friday vs. Memorial. I am super proud of the players and this coaching staff that keeps pouring in to our young men and working to keep getting the guys prepared to play each week.'
RTCA will host Memorial Day on Friday night in Lyons with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
