The PCA Middle School Football team is off to a 3-0 start on the season. After a week off thanks to Tropical Storm Idalia, we played two games last week. On Labor Day, we traveled to Bluffton to take on Cross Schools. In an unexpected turn of events, Cross asked that we avoid playing 8th graders in the game after we had completed our pre-game warm-ups. Apparently, their 8th graders were needed for the varsity team this season and unavailable for the middle school team. In the chaotic minutes that ensued, our coaching staff watched as our 6th and 7th graders stepped up to the challenge. Some had to play in an unfamiliar position on the field while others had to play on both sides of the ball due to the lack of an available player. I also watched as our disappointed 8th graders coached, encouraged, and inspired their younger teammates throughout the game. They all took a very unfair situation, decided that it would not define our season, and showed great character while representing their school. A stingy defense combined with touchdown passes from Caleb Davis to Sawyer Hightower and Rawls Karnes ensured that PCA would bring home a hard fought 16-6 victory.

On Thursday, we faced an old nemesis in Pinewood Prep in a home game at Park West. The defense led the way in this game as our offense struggled to hold onto the ball all evening. Coming off an emotional game in Bluffton and with just two days of practice to prepare for Pinewood, our offense had four turnovers in the game and several untimely penalties. We did manage to cross the goal line twice and were able to run out the clock out with a 16-12 victory firmly in hand, but this game belonged to our defense. They held a very good Pinewood offense in check with great tackling, constant pressure on the quarterback, and excellent pass coverage by our defensive backs.

Our next game will be this Thursday, September 14 at Colleton Prep in Walterboro before returning home to face Porter-Gaud next week. Go Eagles!!

The PCA Middle School Football Team kicked off the season with a dominant 26-0 victory over Northwood Academy last Thursday evening at Park West. A large home crowd watched as a stingy PCA defense frustrated the Northwood passing attack all night long, and the PCA offense scored a touchdown in all four quarters of the game. Cole Bradford led the charge with two interceptions on defense and a rushing and passing touchdown on offense. Caleb Davis threw for another touchdown, and Will Terry was on the receiving end of both touchdown passes. Edisson Garner completed the scoring with a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

Other highlights from the evening included an interception from Sawyer Hightower, a blocked punt by Judah Ray, multiple quarterback sacks by Moses Noy, and a huge stop by our 4th quarter defense, composed of mostly 6th graders, to complete the shutout. Our offensive line was led by center Hudson Parnell and performed admirably against a much larger Northwood defensive line. Overall, it was a great night to be a PCA Eagle. We’re so thankful for the many of you who came out to cheer on these young men who worked incredibly hard in the preseason. 

PCA will look for a second victory this week on August 31 against the Cross Schools Stingrays in Bluffton. Our next home game will be on September 7 vs. Pinewood Prep. Go Eagles!!