Friday night at Patriot Field in the semifinals of the state playoffs, the Vidalia Heritage Academy Eagles trailed the CCA Patriots for 47:11. Unfortunately for the Patriots, the 49 seconds that the Eagles had the lead were the final 49 seconds of the game.
Vidalia Heritage, which trailed 12-0 at halftime, made a steady and methodical second-half comeback to defeat CCA 14-12 and advance to the state title game against David Emanuel Academy next Saturday in Macon.
Friday night’s game was a defensive struggle from the opening kick. Both defenses battered their opponents and were responsible for several shifts in momentum that sent their fans on a 48-minute emotional roller coaster.
For the Patriots, their first big statement came early in the first quarter. The Eagles took the ball first and marched downfield. Their drive, however, stalled at the CCA 12 yard line and Vidalia Heritage turned the ball over on downs.
The Patriots answered quickly when running back Dalton Rogers slipped through the line and broke an 84-yard run for the first points of the night. The point-after was no good but the home team had a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter.
A few minutes in the second period, CCA scored again, this time on a 28-yard run by Tyson Crosby. The Patriots went for two but didn’t make it. Still, they had a 12-0 lead with 8:48 left in the first half.
As the second quarter wound down, the Eagles went on the move again, this time getting to the CCA six yard line. Once again, the Patriot defense stiffened and shut down the Eagles, forcing another turnover on downs.
The first half ended with the Patriots up 12-0.
In the third quarter, the Eagles proved to be ever the opportunists. They took advantage of a CCA fumble late in the period and turned it into points when quarterback Bragg Alford lobbed a 25-yard touchdown pass for the Eagles’ first score. Bragg also ran in the two-point attempt to cut CCA’s lead to 12-8 with 2:35 remaining in the third quarter.
The two teams traded possessions until the waning minutes of the final period. With 5:31 left in the game and the Eagles driving, the CCA defense made its third major stop of the game, forcing another turnover on downs, this time at the Patriot 21.
All CCA had to do was grab a couple of first downs and run out the clock. It looked as much like a sure thing as you could dream up.
But there are no sure things in close football games and the Eagles weren’t ready to capitulate.
The Patriots found themselves facing a 3rd and 2 with under 3:00 remaining. They opted to keep the ball on the ground but only gained a yard. The ball was at their own 40. CCA went for it on 4th and 1. This time, it was the Eagles who stood up. They stuffed the Patriots and took over 40 yards from the end zone with plenty of time to get there.
They began marching toward pay dirt and made it to the CCA eight. Then the unthinkable happened – the snap sailed over Bragg’s head. Once the ball hit the ground, it rolled. And rolled and rolled and rolled. Eventually, Alford caught up and fell on the ball 22 yards behind the line.
Alford and company now faced second and 30. On the next play, Alford dropped back to pass. As he sent the ball downfield, Bo Roberts delivered a vicious hit that sent Alford to the sidelines for a break. The pass fell anemically to the turf, setting up 3rd and 30.
Pearson O’Neal took over under center while Bragg recovered from his meeting with Roberts. He dropped back and went downfield again. The ball was off its mark but an official threw a flag for a controversial pass interference call. The penalty moved the ball up to the 19 for third and goal from the 19.
Alford returned to the game and went to the air again. And once more, the pass was incomplete. Alford also suffered another big hit but the officials said this one was helmet-to-helmet. That penalty moved the ball to the CCA nine and gave the Eagles a first down with 58 seconds left.
What happened next was an inevitability.
Alford hit Cole Johns for a nine-yard touchdown and a 14-12 lead with 49 seconds left. They went for two but Sam Ables picked off Alford’s pass to keep the Patriots’ deficit to just two.
On CCA’s ensuing possession, the Patriots took to the air in an attempt to get downfield in a hurry but weren’t able to complete a pass.
Vidalia Heritage, which had trailed for nearly the entire game, slipped away with a 14-12 win and a berth in the state title game.
Rogers rushed for 133 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Crosby ran 11 times for 42 yards and a touchdown. Ables had six carries for 31 yards. He also completed two passes for 18 yards.
Damian Duran led the defense with 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and half a sack. Roberts tallied 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, and four quarterback hurries. Connor Reckley recorded 11 tackles and a pass breakup. Ethan Duran had 10 tackles and one tackle for a loss. Clay Phillips recorded 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and three hurries. Ables also intercepted a pass and knocked down two more.
It was a heartbreaking end to a special season for the Patriots. They finished the year 9-2 and a game away from playing for a championship. “Our defense was outstanding all game long. I didn’t see one pass interference call. I thought it was beautiful coverage all game. We worked hard, we gave everything, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built here,” said head coach Jed Marsh following the game.
CCA has come a long way in a short period of time. They’ve played three varsity seasons since resurrecting their football program several years ago. Last year was the Patriots’ first year playing a region schedule and as such, being eligible for the playoffs. They not only made the postseason but hosted a home game. CCA didn’t make it out of the first round, falling to Fullington 28-20 at Patriot Field.
This year, the Patriots made the playoffs, won their first postseason game, and were a couple of plays from contending for a title.
The scene on the field after the game was an emotional one. Players cried; hugged teammates, friends, family, and coaches; and stared blankly at the scoreboard. Most of the 2026 Patriots will be back next year. Some, however, played their last game on Friday night.
None of the players on the field will forget the punch in the gut that this defeat is. But the underclassmen will get a shot at redemption. It’s going to be nearly 10 months in the making – but they will get that opportunity.
The seniors, unfortunately, walked away with Friday’s loss as their final football memory. It will take a while but the sting of this game will go away. What will be left behind will be a sense of pride and legacy. They brought football back to Citizens Christian Academy. They rallied their school around a new and, to some degree, foreign program.
In the stands Friday night, the crowd responded with each ebb and flow of momentum. They weren’t there simply to support the team; they were into the game. They wanted to win. They – we – were vested in the game.
Those seniors have built a program and a winning tradition in three short years. Now, football matters at CCA. That was evident Friday night at Patriot Field. And it’s because of them.
Thank you all for a fantastic season.
