WAP falls to Central 78-0
Published 12:00 am Monday, October 17, 2005
DEMOPOLIS–A long season got even longer for the West Alabama Preparatory Titans Friday night as the visiting Central Christian Warriors scored on the opening kickoff and rolled to a 78-0 victory.
With the win, Central moves to 3-4 on the year while the Titans fall to 0-8.
The Warriors were in control from the get-go as Eric Curtis returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for a score. Curtis kicked the extra point himself and Central was up 7-0.
Under quarterback Mark Geiger the Titans drove to the 46 on their first possession but a fumbled snap on fourth down turned the ball over. Solid Titans defense led to a turn over on downs by the Warriors as well, but despite taking over on the Central 48 WAP could not capitalize, fumbling the ball away with 7:53 remaining in the first quarter.
From there the floodgates opened. Curtis scored his second touchdown from 37 yards out, and on the Warriors’ next possession freshman Stanley Spencer bulled his way in on fourth-and-goal for a 21-0 lead with 6:22 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Warriors would score three more times before the quarter was done. Brian McCary returned a punt 55 yards for six, Demetrius McGhee carried from 22 yards out, and Spencer scored his second on a 35-yard interception return for a 40-point advantage.
Although the Warriors continued to dominate the last three quarters, eventually building the lead up to the lopsided final, there were a few bright spots for the Titans. Greg Yelverton fought his way for a 35-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter, and freshman Cory Huth made a sensational one-handed grab for a 16-yard pass completion later in the quarter.
It was an emotional week at West Alabama Prep after senior homecoming maid Whitney Martin was seriously injured in an accident the weekend previous and a special pep rally in her honor was held Friday afternoon. But WAP head coach Marshall Murphy said the outpouring of support and emotion for Martin had little to do with the result against Central.
“The impact it had, the kids know now that there might not be a tomorrow. I’m sure they drove home safely after the game,” he said. “But as for the game itself, I really don’t think so. We just didn’t play very well from the get-go.”
The Titans’ homecoming game will be played next week against Dixie Academy. Central will be at home looking for a second straight win against MMI.