By JOSH ETHRIDGE/For the Reporter

The Kingwood Lions faced off against regional foe Tuscaloosa Academy on Oct. 25. Kingwood hoped to get its seventh win in a row, but its effort came up short as the Lions suffered a 47-0 loss.

The Knights received the ball first and were able to get on the board early in the first quarter. They pounded their way through the Kingwood defense, running the ball on every play of the touchdown drive. Tuscaloosa Academy scored their points on a 15-yard run but missed the extra point, making the score 6-0 with 9:22 left in the first quarter.

On the following drive Kingwood was forced to punt the ball after just three plays and the kick gave the Knights very good field position.

Yet again the Knights kept the ball on the ground. It took only four plays before they found themselves in the end zone again, after a 5-yard touchdown run. Tuscaloosa Academy attempted a two point conversion, but it fell short, making the score 12-0 with six minutes left in the first quarter.

The rest of the game was pretty much a carbon copy of the initial six minutes. The Knights were able to have their way all night with their strong rushing attack.

On the flip side, Kingwood was never able to get anything going on offense. Troubles with injuries and penalties held the Lions back all game.

“We just need to regroup and keep working hard,” said Kingwood head coach Steve Birmingham after the game. “We knew they would come to play, so there isn’t much more we can do than to regroup and go at it again.”

Despite the setback, Birmingham said he knows his team can make a strong push when the playoffs start in a couple weeks.

“We are going to be okay and we are going to make some adjustments,” said Birmingham. “We’re not hurt, we are going to regroup.”

Lions wide receiver C’Yontai Lewis finished the day with 42 receiving yards. He also had 10 tackles and an interception on the day.

Kingwood will face off against Restoration Academy Friday, Nov. 1.