Marengo Academy traveled to Pickens Academy Friday night and lost 28-16.

The Longhorns made a few mistakes that could have turned the game the other way, but head coach Robby James was pleased with how the team played against an undefeated Pickens Academy team.

“We played hard and we played well,” he said. “We had opportunities to score, but we turned it over.”

The first quarter ended in a 0-0 tie, but Pickens was able to score twice in the second quarter to make it 14-0 at halftime. Another score in the third made it 21-0 going into the fourth.

The Longhorns were able to punch it in twice in the fourth, scoring on a 4-yard Josh Holifield run and a 20-yard Hayden Huckabee run. There just wasn’t enough time left in the game to finish off the comeback.

“We left their field feeling like we can play with them,” James said. “They’re 7-0 for a reason. Both teams had their starters in in the fourth quarter, and we were able to mount a couple of good drives.”