Late field goal gives No. 2 Glenwood 24-22 win
By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Despite a three-touchdown performance by Bubba Nettles, Escambia Academy suffered its first loss of the season last Friday, August 28, a 24-22 setback to Glenwood Academy.
The Gators, last season’s AISA 2A state runners-up, started off the game quietly, and Nettles put the first points on the board, scoring on a 2-yard run. A missed extra-point kick left the Cougars with a 6-0 lead.
Glenwood struck on a 22-yard interception with 5:02 left in the first quarter. The PAT kick gave the Gators a 7-6 lead.
Nettles scored his second touchdown of the night on a another 2-yard punch in with 5:53 left in the second. The Cougars took a 14-7 lead after a Devon Kelly two-point conversion.
With just 50 seconds to go in the half, a blocked punt was returned 55 yards for another Glenwood touchdown. The teams retired to the locker rooms deadlocked at 14-14.
The Cougars made a fatal error during the second half kickoff, as Landon Sims kicked short to keep the ball away from Glenwood’s speedy return man. The play backfired as the Gators scooped up the ball and ran 65 yards up the middle for a touchdown and the lead.
Midway through the third period, a Sims punt put Glenwood in a hole at their own 6-yard line. The Gators bobbled the following snap, and EA recovered at the 2-yard line.
This play set up Nettles’ third touchdown, and the Cougars regained the lead at 22-21 on Daughtry McGhee’s two-point conversion.
However, with just 3:32 left to play, the Gators kicker nailed a 31-yard field goal, retaking the lead and securing the win.
Going into Friday night’s contest the Cougars were ranked sixth in the AISA, and Glenwood was second. EA now advances into the third week of the season with a record of 1-1, while Glenwood improved to 2-0.
The Cougars will travel to play Patrician Academy this Friday in their region opener. Patrician started its season last week with a 4012 win over Clarke Academy.