By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
The Escambia Academy Cougars won over Southern Academy last Friday, October 22, with ease, 41-15. With the win, the Cougars polished off AISA Class 2A, Region 2 area play for the season, finishing with a 3-1 region record.
The Cougars got things started early when EA quarterback Landon Sims connected with Jacob Lee on a 15-yard pass for a touchdown with just over 5 minutes left to play in the first quarter.
Later in the first quarter, Sims connected again on a 37-yard touchdown pass to Malaki Haynes and after a successful extra-point kick, EA held a 14-0 advantage. With just over 3 minutes left to play in the opening quarter, J.J. Stevens found the endzone on a 27-yard run and the Cougars led 21-0. Bubba Nettles then dashed in on a 15-yard scamper into the endzone with 30 seconds left to play in the first quarter and after another successful Sims extra-point boot, EA held a 28-0 advantage.
EA’s Christian Crook opened second quarter scoring with a 12-yard run and another Sims extra-point kick, EA led 35-0. With 44 seconds left to play in the first half, Southern Academy finally added points to the scoreboard when Cade Atchison grabbed a 55-yard touchdown pass. At the end of the first half, EA commanded, 35-7.
During the second half, EA head coach Hugh Fountain benched EA starters to eliminate potential injuries ahead of the playoffs, and Cougars’ underclassmen players took the field to finish out play for the duration of the game. Southern Academy was able to punch 1 in against the younger EA players with a 20-yard touchdown run with just over 10 minutes left in the third quarter. During the fourth quarter, EA’s Carson Wilson closed out scoring when he bought down a 15-yard pass and the Cougars took their eighth win of the season.
With the win, the Cougars solidify the number 2 seed for AISA playoffs. Next week EA will finish out the regular season schedule at home against Bessemer Academy and will host Edgewood Academy during the first round of playoffs on Friday, November 5.