By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Landon Sims and Bubba Nettles helped Escambia Academy gain a decisive, 36-6 victory over Southern Academy last Friday, October 23, that completed EA’s season dominance of AISA Class 2A, Region 2 competition.
The Cougars took a 7-0 lead when Devin Kelly scored the game’s first touchdown and Sims connected with the PAT kick.
Sims gained his first touchdown of the night as the seconds ticked down in the first quarter. He then tacked on the extra point for a 14-0 lead, but Southern Academy picked up its only points of the game on a short touchdown run early in the second period.
Nettles kept the train rolling, bringing in a 67-yard pass from Sims for a Cougars touchdown with just over four minutes left to play in the first half. Sam Fields tacked on two points and EA led 22-6 at the half.
Sims and Nettles alternated lighting up the scoreboard for EA during the third quarter. Sims scored his second touchdown, and Nettles scored the final six-pointer of the night for EA. Sims kicked the PAT after each score, and Coach Hugh Fountain emptied his bench over the final quarter.
Sims ran the ball seven times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He was 5 for 8 passing, for 146 yards and the TD bomb.
EA will travel to Bessemer for a non-region game this Friday, October 30. Bessemer is the state’s second-ranked AISA team; the Cougars are ranked third.
Currently, 3A Glenwood, which handed EA its only loss this season, is ranked first.
According to Fountain, this week’s game against will be treated like any other game and will give the Cougars an opportunity to prepare for the AISA playoffs. They will host Springwood Academy on Friday, November 6, in the first round.