By PAOLO GORME
News Sports Writer
The Escambia Academy Cougars traveled to Tuscaloosa this past Friday, August 31, to face the Tuscaloosa Academy Knights.
As the night went on, the Cougars fell 31-7. EA could not get anything going on offense with 64 yards of total offense, while Tuscaloosa scored 4 touchdowns with 388 yards of total offense.
“Our execution on both sides of the ball and our blocking was lacking in that game Friday. Penalties were helpful in killing drives for us as well. We just couldn’t get anything going,” Coach Hugh Fountain said.
The Knights were back to receive the opening kickoff to start the game. Both teams were able to stop each other from scoring in the first quarter. Thirteen seconds into the second quarter, Kevin McNeal for the Knights scored on a two- yard rushing touchdown that put them ahead of the Cougars 7-0. With 1:39 left in the second quarter, Knights running back Cameron Chambers rushed the ball in from 15 yards for the score and added on 7 more points to end the half.
Both teams traded a few possessions before Kevin McNeal scored again on a rushing touchdown with 4:54 left in the third. That score put the Knights up 21-0. On the ensuing kickoff, EA’s Shannon Wheat fielded the kick and ran all the way back for an 80-yard touchdown for the Cougars’ lone score of the night. Orlando Medina’s extra point was good and the score was 21-7.
A 21-yard field goal by Tuscaloosa with 1:12 left in the third quarter increased the Knight lead to 24-7.
The last score of the night came from Knight receiver Mayes White who hauled in a 40-yard touchdown pass from Alex Johnson.
For the Cougars, Jabe Dawe was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter. Shannon Wheat intercepted Alex Johnson’s pass at the 6:49 mark of the fourth quarter. The final score was 31-7.
The Cougars are playing at home this Friday against the Clarke Prep Gators for their first region game of the season.
Go, Cougars!