Wheat scores twice as Cougars win 3rd straight
By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Shannon Wheat scored two touchdowns to help lead Escambia Academy’s Cougars to a 35-7 win over Patrician Academy last Friday, September 27 in Canoe.
The win improves EA’s overall season record to 3-2 and puts them in first place in AISA Class AA, Region 2 standings. The Cougars and Saints were tied for the top spot prior to Friday’s game.
Escambia started the contest out on a slow note, giving up an early 25-yard touchdown pass that put PA up, 7-0.
With 1:20 left in the first quarter, the Cougars were dealt another bad hand when EA’s Cameron Cloud was ejected after a brief scuffle with a Saints player.
EA overcame the negative early showing and gained confidence when Jabo Davis raced 17 yards for a game-tying touchdown. Kicker Orlando Medina notched the extra-point to tie the contest.
Wheat broke the deadlock with a powerful 40-yard run that, with Medina’s kick, put the Cougars ahead to stay, 14-7.
With 1.9 seconds left in the half and EA controlling the ball, Coach Hugh Fountain sent Medina back onto the field for a last-gasp, 35-yard field goal attempt. The kick fell short, and the 14-7 score remained at halftime.
When the second half began, Wheat picked up right where he had left off.
With 10:40 left in the third period, Wheat’s 21-yard scamper set up a 15-yard quarterback-keeper by Landon Sims that widened EA’s lead. Following the touchdown, Sims was flagged for excessive celebration. The infraction was marked off on the ensuing kickoff, and the score stood.
PA was still unable to generate positive yardage against the tough EA defense, and with just over nine minutes left to play, Wheat stabbed at the Saints again, this time with a 22-yard burst that extended the Cougars lead to 28-7 after Medina’s PAT.
With PA’s hopes of a comeback deteriorating, EA’s Ty Williams sealed the prize envelope by speeding untouched for an 80-yard punt return. Medina hammered in the last nail with his extra-point kick, and the Cougars took a 35-7 win.
Individual stats and comments had not been made available by the Escambia Academy coaching staff by Tuesday’s press deadline.
The Cougars will travel to meet Bessemer Academy in a non-region encounter this Friday, October 4.