Make that a siren.
Whatever the case, the Bumblebees responded like a house on fire to last week's lopsided loss to Lexington by dominating Lago Vista 31-0 at soggy John Glover Stadium for a much-needed District 25-2A victory.
A four-touchdown night from Layton Willis and a 318-yard team rushing performance combined with a suffocating defense put the Bees in control from start to finish.
"They responded," Academy coach Royce McAdams said. "Teams with character will do that."
As far as the Bees are concerned a district title is still the top priority and Friday's win put them back in position to do that amongst a growing stack of teams near the top of the league standings.
"We finally played the way we are capable," said McAdams, whose team is 5-2 overall and 2-1 in district. "We had done so at times, but this time we played a whole game that way."
The Bees, who are idle next week, are among four teams - Salado, Lago Vista and Lexington included - with one loss apiece trailing leader Rogers.
Academy used its mushy field to its advantage by sticking to the ground and running Willis and quarterback Kyle Kuban straight ahead as the Bees' offensive line manhandled the Vikings.
"When the line blocks that's what happens," said Willis, who led all rushers with 158 yards on 22 carries. "(My success) is thanks to the line. I have the easy job."
Willis made it look easy on the Bees' offensive play of the game, scooting to the sideline off left tackle and racing 41 yards for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead at the 9:37 mark of the first quarter.
Following a fumble recovery by Academy's James Ash at the Viking 24, Willis went straight ahead four plays later and dove in from the 7. The second of four straight failed conversion attempts left the score 12-0 six seconds into the second quarter and that's how it would remained at halftime.
The Bees didn't score on the opening possession of the second half, but milked more than six minutes from the clock. A quick defensive stop allowed the Bees to move 53 yards in five plays for an 18-0 advantage. Kuban kept the ball himself on the final three plays with carries of 20 and 14 yards before barreling in from the 5 with 1:55 to go in the quarter. Kuban finished the game with 134 yards on 27 carries.
"Kuban just took over the game," McAdams said.
Academy took advantage of prime field position again by going 50 yards in nine plays capped by a 1-yard plunge from Willis to make it 24-0. Willis broke loose on a 25-yard scamper in the closing seconds of the game and Michael Silva's PAT accounted for the final margin.
"It's about the playoffs and winning a district championship," Willis said. "If you practice hard you'll play hard. Last week we were just big-headed about that game. We feel a lot stronger about ourselves now."
The usually explosive Vikings were limited to 100 yards, all on the ground, and just four first downs. McAdams said the Bees' mission was to stop fullback Jason Cormier. They succeeded in limiting Cormier to 63 yards.
"They are a lateral team and we wanted to go straight ahead," said McAdams, who is three wins away 200 for his career. "They are potent. We had to stop (Cormier). He's an excellent back."
It was a key win for the Bees going into the final month of season with anything from a district crown to being locked out of the playoffs a possibility.
After the 34-14 loss to Lexington, the mission, McAdams says, is simple: "We've got to win them all."
twaits@temple-telegram.com
