Abbeville Christian 25, Patrician Academy 14: Drex Roach scores three TDs as Generals win AISA Class A title

TROY, Alabama – Abbeville Christian had generally outscored its opponents in winning its first 13 games of the 2014 season. Today, the Generals had to play “grown man football,” relying largely on its defense in downing Patrician Academy 25-14 for the AISA Class A championship at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Troy University.

This was Abbeville Christian’s second time in the title game in 36 years but its first championship.

“As good as our defense was playing, we were just going to run and play good defense,” coach Ashley Carlisle said. “We’re mostly an offensive team but our defense was stopping them so we figured we’d play a little grown man football.”

More times than not, the Generals marched straight at the Saints.

“That’s not really our forte,” the coach said, “but we got the job done tonight.”

Drex Roach nearly gave the victors all the points they’d need with three touchdowns. Ty Meinader put the game out of reach with a fourth quarter score.

Play of the Game: Meader actually had two of them. He picked off a Patrician pass with 1:23 to go in the third quarter. That set Abbeville on a drive that would yield its third touchdown, which was enough to keep the opponent at bay. In the fourth, he scooped up a late fumble and scored from 42 yards out for the Generals' final score.

By The Numbers: Kaleb Sessions, Patrician, had 10 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown and had five catches for 31 yards … Griffin Fenn, Abbeville, had 20 carries for 131 yards and completed 4 of 10 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown … Drex Roach, Abbeville, had 12 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns, and two catches for 85 yards and a TD.

-- Game ball: Drex Roach repeatedly delivered for the Generals, scoring two touchdowns on the ground and another through the air.

-- Coachspeak: "This is awesome," Carlisle said. "I can't imagine going through it with a better bunch of guys. They played hard. I can't say enough about them. They played with so much heart it's unreal."

-- They Said It …: "We've got confidence in all our guys," Fenn said. "We know if we need a big play, anybody on our field is able to make it. We've got faith in everybody."

“We did what we needed to do to make some plays we were supposed and some that we weren’t,” Roach said. “We played with a by-any-means mentality. That’s what we live by.”

“We made a few mistakes that hurt real bad,” Patrician coach Jonathan Lindsey said. “Our kids never quit. I couldn’t be prouder of them.”