By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Bubba Nettles scored two touchdowns to help lead Escambia Academy past Patrician Academy, 49-24, last Friday, September 4.
The win was the first in region competition for the Cougars as they advance to 2-1 for the season and 1-0 in region play.
The Saints took an early 8-0 lead after scoring on a long pass and punching in a two-point conversion, but EA answered with a Daughtry McGhee 60-yard punt return with 11:00 to go in the first.
The McGhee run helped set up a Nettles 4-yard touchdown. After tacking on the extra points, the game was tied 8-8.
Landon Sims broke the tie with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving EA a 14-8 lead. Then, with a minute left before the half, Patrician scored on a 27-yard play and regained a 16-14 lead.
Nettles began the second half scoring with a 63-yard run, giving the Cougars a 22-16 lead after Devin Kelly’s two-point conversion.
Maliki Haynes continued the scoring frenzy for EA with a 52-yard pass reception from Sims, and Sims ran in for the extra two points to extend EA’s lead to 30-16.
With just over four minutes left in the third, Kelly struck with a touchdown for EA and a 37-16 lead.
With 10:48 left to play in the game, Christian Crook scored on a 21-yard dash, extending the Cougars lead to 43-16.
The Saints were able to finally break through and add another eight points, but were silenced by EA’s Jaden Santiago, who added the final touches with a 1-yard dash into the endzone to close the scoring.
The Cougars will host region foe Wilcox Academy this Friday, September 11.