By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Kingwood Christian School picked up a 39-36 win over East Memorial Christian Academy on the road in Prattville in an Alabama Independent School Association Class 3A, Region 2 game Sept. 22.

Sophomore quarterback Gavin Sumrall threw five touchdown passes to fellow sophomore wide receiver Montez Haynes in the Lions’ first region victory this season.

First-year Kingwood Christian coach Bob Spurgeon praised the offensive unit following an impressive performance with nearly 350 passing yards.

“Our offense did very well,” Spurgeon said. “We took advantage of what (the East Memorial defense) was showing us.”

Sumrall led the Lions (3-3 overall, 1-2 in AISA Class 3A, Region 2) as he completed 13-of-26 passes for 347 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in the win.

Haynes reeled in eight catches for 291 yards and five touchdowns.

The Lions struck first with 4:31 left in the opening period when Sumrall hit Haynes for a 15-yard scoring toss. Luke Edge added the PAT.

The Lions scored again with 8:37 remaining in the half as Haynes took a slant pass from Sumrall and raced 75 yards for a score. The PAT was no good.

Sumrall connected with Haynes for a third time from 39 yards out with 1:45 left in the half. Edge’s extra point made the score 20-6.

Charles Robinson’s 49-yard touchdown run at the 11:33 mark in the third quarter put the Lions up 26-14. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

With 7:09 left in the third quarter, Sumrall and Haynes hooked up for a fourth touchdown pass of the evening. This 45-yard connection capped off a 99-yard drive for the Lions. The conversion attempt failed leaving Kingwood up 32-14 going into the final quarter.

East Memorial scored two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter to cut into the lead before Kingwood recovered the an on-side kick attempt. On third down with 1:21 to go, Sumrall went to the air a final time and connected for a fifth touchdown pass of the night to Haynes. This connection covered 52 yards and coupled with Edge’s PAT left the score 39-28.

East Memorial added a touchdown to cut the lead to 39-36, but the Lions recovered an on-side kick attempt and ran out the clock for the victory.

The game was delayed 45 minutes due to lightning in the area.

Spurgeon said the Lions’ first region victory couldn’t have come at a better time.

“It’s huge for us,” Spurgeon said. “We needed that win to get back on track after losing the last two games.”