By PAOLO GORME
News Sports Writer
This past Friday, Oct. 19, was Escambia Academy’s Senior Night. For the seniors on the team and the cheerleaders, it was a special night since it was the last regular season home game. The night couldn’t have ended better for the Cougars as they rolled past the Lowndes Academy Rebels 35-12. Pat McGhee had a monster game, scoring all the Cougars’ touchdowns and racking up 250-plus yards on the ground.
EA was able to get the first possession of the game. Within a minute, McGhee scored on a toss sweep around left tackle for 64 yards. Sam Martin’s point after attempt was good and the Cougars were up 7-0 early in the game.
On the next offensive possession for the Cougars, McGhee broke loose to score again from 32 yards out. The extra point by Martin was perfect and the score was now 14-0.
During the first play of the second quarter, Jabe Dawe’s pass was intercepted. Fortunately, the Rebels didn’t score off the turnover. EA’s defense was able to get a fumble recovery as well.
On the next defensive possession for EA, Shannon Wheat intercepted a pass at the 45-yard line and returned it back to the Rebels’ 14-yard line. McGhee quickly capitalized on the turnover and scored from 14 yards out with 3:58 left in the first half. Martin’s extra point was good and the score was 21-0.
Right before the end of the second quarter, the Rebels were able to score on a 3- yard passing touchdown with 23.7 seconds left. The 2-point conversion was unsuccessful and the score was 21-6.
Midway through the third quarter, McGhee struck again after catching a 73-yard pass from Dawe in the flats. The extra point by Martin was good and it was 28-6. Wheat was able to recover a fumble by Lowndes on the ensuing kickoff but the Cougars weren’t able to capitalize.
On the Rebels’ offensive possession, they were unable to convert on downs and EA took over at the Rebel 11-yard line. McGhee took the handoff from Dawe and scored the fifth touchdown for EA. Martin’s kick was good and it was 35-6.
In the fourth quarter, Wheat got his second pick of the night. He picked it off in the end zone and returned it back to the 20-yard line with 9 minutes left in the game. The Cougars fumbled the ball during that offensive possession on their own 17-yard line and the Rebels recovered the fumble. The Rebels scored on a passing touchdown right after taking over. The extra point was no good and that ended the scoring.
EA Head Coach Hugh Fountain was pleased with his boys’ performance but still has some things to correct during practice.
The Cougars will travel to Ft. Dale Academy for the last game of the regular season. Go, Cougars!