By PAOLO GORME
News Sports Writer
The Cougars were visited by Cornerstone Christian this past Friday night to kick off the playoffs for the AISA. EA also celebrated last Friday’s game as senior night. The Cougars came out victorious to say the very least. The final score was 55-0.
It was a very lopsided game with EA’s total yardage being 324 yards with only 23 plays on offense; they had 192 passing and 132 rushing yards. The Chargers had only 34 yards of total offense and those were only rushing yards with 3 turnovers. “We got off to a great start and we didn’t have many penalties in this game and mistakes. Everything was happening so quickly for us on turnovers and the kicking game. It was a good win for us and hopefully it will be some good momentum we can carry with us,” said Head Coach Hugh Fountain shortly after the victory.
EA won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to start the game. The very first play on offense, Fred Flavors motioned from his receiver spot before the snap and took the ball for a speed right and took it 46 yards to the house. It only took 23 seconds for the Cougars to put points on the board. The extra point was no good and made the score 6-0.
A minute and 37 seconds after, Flavors fielded a punt and took it to the house for 50 yards. Directly after, Louie Turner walks into the end zone for the 2- point conversion and the score was 14-0.
At the 8:48 mark, MJ Jones picked the ball off and ran it back 20 yards for 6 points and also scored the 2-point conversion and it was 22-0. With 4 minutes left in the quarter, Jabe Dawe faked the handoff and ran the ball in for a 1-yard score. Jones scored the 2-point conversion again and the Cougars built a 30 point lead in 12 minutes.
They picked up where they left off when they scored again as Dawe found the end zone again from 12 yards out. Jace Daniels’s extra point was good and they added 7 points to the lead. Mid-way through the second quarter, Neikel Robinson fielded a punt at their 30-yard line and slipped off would-be tacklers and scored from 70 yards out. The extra point was no good and made the score 43-0. With 1:51 left to go in the half, Dawe and Jones connected on an 85-yard passing touchdown but the extra point was no good and made the score 49-0 to end the first half of play.
The third quarter was scoreless for both teams. Chase Bell scored a 16-yard run with 1:28 left to go in the game and ended the game 55-0.
Jabe Dawe was 4 for 5 passing with 157 yards with a touchdown through the air. He also had 13 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns. Fred Flavors had 1 rushing attempt with 46 yards and a touchdown. Louie Turner had 3 attempts for 23 yards. MJ Jones had 1 reception for 85 yards and a touchdown with a pick 6. Neikel Robinson had 2 receptions for 40 yards and an interception on defense.
The Cougars will be traveling to Macon East Academy this week for the second round of these playoffs. They are one step closer on their Road to Troy for the AISA AA state championship game. Go Cougars!