Photo By Michael Alexander

FAYETTEVILLE—Our Lady of Mercy lost its Sept. 20 home opener to Athens Academy 20-13.

The Spartans from Athens capitalized off a Mercy turnover during a punt return deep in its own territory with just over 5:00 left in the first quarter. It resulted in a 21-yard touchdown pass from Athens Academy quarterback Will Cunningham to wide receiver Eric Williams. The point after touchdown was no good. Williams caught his second touchdown pass with 11:29 remaining in the second quarter. This time the kicker made the point after touchdown to extend the team’s lead to 13-0.

On the Bobcats’ ensuing drive down the field, Mercy’s junior running back Jordan Thomas punched it in from five yards out for Mercy’s first touchdown. Quarterback and kicker Jameson Vest kicked the point after touchdown to draw Mercy to within six points.

With 5:46 remaining in the second quarter, Athens Academy fumbled the ball on its 26-yard-line. The Athens Academy miscue led to a Mercy field goal by Vest, and with 4:25 left in the second quarter, Mercy trailed 13-10. Mercy’s defense held the Spartans scoreless the remainder of the quarter, and with eight seconds remaining before halftime, Vest kicked his second field goal to tie the score at 13-13.

Athens Academy scored its third and final touchdown in the third quarter, and that’s how it would end as neither team scored in the fourth quarter.

Vest, a junior, led the team in rushing with 17 carries for 124 yards. Thomas was the second leading rusher with 16 carries for 64 yards. Vest also passed for 152 yards. Mercy’s leading receiver was Christian Coleman, who had nine receptions totaling 69 yards.

Our Lady of Mercy falls to 0-3. They take on Pace Academy (3-1) at home Sept. 27.