The Escambia Academy Cougars came out of the gate hot Friday night during a 27-7 thumping of the South Choctaw Rebels on the road in Toxey.

EA improved to 4-3, winning their final region game and significantly strengthening their chances of a playoff berth, after scoring 14 points in the first quarter off two ground scores from standout sophomore Winston Barron.

Barron struck first from 30 yards out with 3:53 left in the first quarter to give EA the early lead. Barron found the end zone once again in the first period, off a 51-yard touchdown run, leaving the Cougars leading South Choctaw 14-0 with only 34 seconds remaining.

The Cougars found themselves backed into their own end zone early in the second quarter, but a stellar punt return from the Rebels found the EA defense in the same spot on the field, defending a fourth down and one play from their own three yard line. A defensive stop from Cougar Jamie Vaughn would keep the Rebels scoreless; however, a no-show from the EA offense left both teams without a score in the second quarter.

The Rebels found their only score of the game early in the third quarter and were able to hold the Cougars on their first offensive possession of the second half.

But Barron left his mark on the defensive side of the ball as well, stripping the pigskin from the Rebels quarterback and giving new life to the Cougar offense at the South Choctaw 39-yard line.

Despite the late-half surge by the Rebels, EA sealed the deal in the second half, beginning with a red zone touchdown on the ground from running back Reid Bell to give the Cougars a 20-7 lead with 11:11 left in the game.

The Cougars all but guaranteed the win with a 60-yard ground score from Tehran Stallworth with 1:52 to play in the game, knocking off the Rebels 27-7.

Next week EA will face Clarke Prep at home in Canoe. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.