Published: October 31, 2007 11:43 am            

Sylva-Bay silences NCA

DECATUR — Needing a win last Friday at Decatur to secure a wild-card berth in the MPSA Class A playoffs, the Newton County Academy Generals laid a goose egg as they fell 14-0 to the Sylva-Bay Academy Saints.

It was the Generals’ first time to be shut out in 2007. NCA fell to 5-5 overall and 1-3 in 4-A. Sylva-Bay improved to 6-4 and 2-2.

“The defense stayed on the field a lot,” NCA assistant coach Chase Nicholson said. “We only had 40 offensive plays the whole game. That’s really low compared to what we usually do.

“Sylva-Bay definitely controlled the clock throughout the whole game.”

The Generals must win this week, then hope Wilkinson Christian, Benton Academy, and Tensas Academy all lose to have any shot at the playoffs.

“It pretty much knocked us out,” Nicholson said of the loss. “It would have to be one of those miracle-type things. We’re not completely out.”

Sylva-Bay scored on its opening drive as Bryce Ulmer found Seth Coats in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown toss with 6:23 to go in the first quarter.

NCA blocked the extra point, leaving the Saints up 6-0.

The Generals reached the Saint 31 only to lose a fumble on their first possession. Brody Thomas kept the drive alive when he fielded a low snap in punt formation and escaped three Saints to pick up a first down. Rob Roberts then completed a pass to Thomas for a 24-yard pickup to the Sylva-Bay 31.

T.J. White fumbled on the next play with the Saints recovering.

Coats picked off a Roberts pass on NCA’s next possession and returned it 15 yards to the Generals’ 43. The Saints reached the NCA 6, but Jordan Holder was tackled for a loss of four yards on fourth-and-3.

Following a punt by Thomas, the Saints were knocking on the door again at the NCA 13, but Ulmer was tackled at the 10 as the first half ended with the Saints up 6-0.

Neither team was able to put up any points in the third quarter.

Sylva-Bay scored an insurance touchdown in the fourth quarter to take a 14-0 lead. Ulmer scored on a 1-yard keeper with Jordan Holder running in a two-point conversion.

NCA had two touchdowns in the second half erased due to penalties.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.