By Jason Chain
Sportswriter
For many years the Pickens County Tornadoes and American Christian Patriots
duked it out for supremacy of their 2A region.
On Friday night the Tornadoes and Patriots squared off to open the 2010 season.
Pickens County prevailed 26-8 but there was no Region reward. Offseason
realignment dropped the Tornadoes to 1A while the Patriots remained in 2A. The
passion of the rivalry remained, but Friday
’s Tornado win earned bragging rights only.
The Tornadoes made it all the way to the final four of the 2009 2A playoffs, but
learned in the spring that after competing in class 2A since 1992 they would
make the transition to 1A for the 2010 football season.
In the more recent years of the Tornadoes 2A run the one game that often
determined the region championship was between Pickens County and American
Christian Academy.
ACA was the victor of the 2006 and 2007 contests while the Tornadoes got the
best of the Patriots in the 2008 and 2009 battles.
Each year the winner of that game went on to claim the region crown.
Another interesting tidbit concerning the two teams is both have a former player
on the University of Alabama football team, both of whom share time at the
tight end position for the Crimson Tide.
Brad Smelly represented the Patriots on the Tide squad while Michael Williams
carries the Tornado banner.
With Pickens County moving to 1A and ACA remaining in 2A, the 2010 battle didn’t have the region title implications of past contests, but that doesn’t mean it means any less to either team as far as bragging rights are concerned.
The two teams battled to scoreless draw in the first half.
Pickens County had a few near misses in the first half including a deep, would
be touchdown pass that slipped through the hands of a receiver and another
potential interception that would have easily resulted in a Tornado score.
The Tornado defense held strong to keep the visitor side of the scoreboard blank
as well heading into the halftime break.
Halftime was extended an hour due to lighting in the area, but the Tornadoes
finally lit some sparks of their own in the third quarter.
Less than two minutes into the second half the Tornado defense forced an ACA
fumble.
Pickens County linebacker Tim Simpson scooped up the loose pigskin and returned
it 19 yards for a Tornado touchdown.
A failed extra point left the PCHS advantage at 6-0 with 10:24 to go in the
third quarter.
Pickens County got its second score of the night on a seven yard touchdown run
from Tornado quarterback Deion Curry.
Demarco Hall carried the ball into the end zone to complete the two point
conversion to up the Pickens County lead to 14-0 with 8:07 to go in the third
quarter.
ACA got into the scoring action at the 4:09 mark of the third quarter with a 28
yard touchdown toss on a 4th and long conversion.
A successful two point try narrowed the Tornado lead to 14-8.
Pickens County extended the lead before the third quarter expired on two yard
run from Simpson for his second touchdown of the night.
After a failed two point try the Tornado advantage remained at 20-8 heading into
the final quarter of play.
Pickens County added one more score in the fourth quarter. On a 3rd and short the Tornado coaching staff called for a quarterback draw in
order to pick up the first down.
The Tornadoes picked up the first down and a lot more when Curry slipped through
the pile and galloped 64 yards for a touchdown.
Curry’s scoring run improved the Tornado lead to what would be the final of 26-8.
The Tornadoes were led on offense by Curry with 136 yards rushing and a pair of
touchdowns.
The Pickens County defensive efforts were led by Travis Bailey with eight
tackles and a sack.
Simpson added six tackles and fumble recovery for a touchdown.
The Tornadoes (1-0) enter region play this week with a home contest against the Shades Mountain
Christian Eagles (0-1).
Kickoff is set for 7PM in Reform.
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