A sophomore made all the difference Thursday in Escambia Academy’s junior-senior powder puff football game.

McKayla Spruill, who only played in the game because there were more junior girls playing than seniors, helped lead a powerful senior defense in a 36-6 win. Spruill had four interceptions, two of which were run back for touchdowns in the win.

Lacie Flowers also contributed with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Grayson Emmons and Shyla Godwin also scored for the seniors in the win.

Seniors’ coach Scott Flowers said he wasn’t surprised by his team’s defensive prowess, even though the team only practiced twice and had “to learn on the fly.”

“We had a lot of speed,” he said. “We had the senior boys practicing with us and they couldn’t hardly score on the girls.”

Spruill said she felt good about her performance and added that football wasn’t hard to play.

“I just had to go with it because I didn’t practice with them,” she said of her call to play. “I think I did pretty well.”

Brice McGhee, a tight end on the Cougars’ varsity football team, was defensive coordinator for the seniors. He said the ladies were a pleasure to coach.

“They were all great,” he said. “They were very cooperative and listened well.”

McGhee said coaching the girls wasn’t a challenge.

“A lot of them grew up watching the game,” he said. “All of them had playmaking abilities.”

Garrett Kirk, the Cougars’ linebacker and punter, was the offensive coordinator for the junior team.

“It was fun,” he said. “We didn’t have a lot of time to practice.”