By PATRICK BYRD
News Sports Writer
The Escambia Academy Cougars returned to Bachelor Field for Homecoming on October 6 to play against the Pickens Academy Pirates of Carrollton, Alabama. This also marked a return to region play for the Cougars after a short break.
The Cougar captains, Keller Coston, Eli McElhaney, and Charlie Sasser, met at midfield before the game for the coin toss with the referees and the Pirate captain. Escambia won the toss and chose to defer to the second half.
The Cougars caught their own kick to start the game, and Coston broke out early with a 45-yard carry to the end zone to mark the first Cougar touchdown. The 2-point attempt failed, leaving the Cougars up 6-0.
The Cougars quickly regained possession of the ball when Traegan James intercepted a Pirate pass. Quinten Odom would use this to receive a 60-yard pass by Coston and take it to the end zone. Odom also completed the 2-point attempt, putting the cougars up 14-0 a minute and a half into the game.
The Pirates responded with a 3-yard carry into the end zone with 4 minutes left in the first quarter. The 2-point attempt failed, however, leaving the score at 14-6.
Odom ran it in once again one minute later when he caught a pass from Coston and carried it 60 yards into the end zone. The 2-point attempt failed after the Cougars received 2 penalties in 2 attempts, and the score remained 20-6.
The Cougars added to the score once again as Coston ran it in from the 15-yard line. The 2-point conversion failed, and the Cougars were left up at 26-6.
Ty McCants ran it in for the Cougars after making a 92-yard carry to the end zone. The 2-point attempt failed, leaving the score at 32-6.
The Cougars gained possession of the ball after Traegan James picked up the onside kick. After another turnover, Charlie Sasser recovered a fumble to regain the ball again for the cougars at the 5-yard line. Following this, Coston made the 5-yard carry for the touchdown. The 2-point attempt failed, putting the Cougars up at 38-6 going into halftime.
Halftime saw recognition of the Homecoming Court, including Freshman Maid Aleah Livingston; Sophomore Maid Brilee Handley; Junior Maid Ana Chesley Robinson; and Senior Maids Scottla Williams, Tava Johnson, and Mary Ruth Dortch. The 2022 Homecoming Queen, Miss Tiffany Gookin, returned to Bachelor Field to crown EA’s 2023 Homecoming Queen, Miss Tava Johnson. The Cougar marching band also thrilled audiences with “We Will Rock You” and “Another One Bites the Dust” to close out halftime.
Five minutes into the second half McCants carried the ball in with a 5-yard carry for the Cougar touchdown. This was followed by Bennett, carrying in the ball for the 2-point conversion, putting the score at 46-6.
Pickens carried into the end zone with 4 minutes left in the last quarter, and made a successful 2-point conversation to bring the final score up to 46-14.
Next week, the Cougars will travel to Butler, Alabama, to play the Patrician Academy Saints. This will be the Cougars’ last region game of the season, and it will be streamed on EA’s Facebook and YouTube pages. Be sure to tune in!