PCA advances to the semifinals after defeating Deer Creek 53-18

Porter’s Chapel Academy advances to the semifinals after defeating Deer Creek 53-18 on Friday night.

“We realized that this could’ve been our last one so it was either us or them so we chose us,” senior Ty Mack said.

The Eagles popped things off with a 54-yard touchdown from John Wyatt Massey to  Ty Mack. Jase Jung ran in the 2-point conversion. After a successful onside kick, Massey connected with Mack again for a 33-yard score.

Gavin Pugh kicking an onside kick: Photo by Richard Miller

As PCA came out on defense, Henry Slayton recovered a fumble which gave the Eagles possession of the ball. Jung broke out on a few good runs which set up a 10-yard touchdown pass from Massey to Taylor LaBarre as PCA went up 22-0.

Deer Creek would eventually score 12 unanswered points. With less than four minutes left in the half, Jung scored from a 25-yard run. He would also grab an interception a few plays later.

Mack would soon catch a nasty pass followed by a quick reverse from LaBarre. Massey hit Mack again for another score with 35 seconds left in the half. Another onside kick from Gavin Pugh would set up a 22-yard touchdown pass from Massey to LaBarre that put the score at 40-12 at halftime.

DC came out of halftime and scored but the Eagles responded with an 11-yard score from Massey to Mack to go up 46-18. Before the end of the third quarter Massey hit LaBarre for a 70-yard touchdown.

Jung caught his second interception in the fourth quarter as PCA took the 53-18 win. He also rushed for 200 yards. Massey threw a total of seven touchdowns in another record-breaking night(288 passing yards).

“We had to play hard and that’s what we did and we have to do the same thing next week if we want to go all the way,” Massey said.

John Wyatt Massey throwing a touchdown: Photo by Richard Miller

Mack had a total of four touchdowns(149 receiving yards) and LaBarre brought in three scores(107 receiving yards). Hunter Simms grabbed six tackles and Thomas Azlin finished with five tackles.

PCA will travel to face undefeated DeSoto School.