TROY — Escambia Academy came up a bit short as the Cougars fell 28-21 to top-ranked Autauga Academy in the 2016 AISA Class 2A state championship tonight in Veterans Memorial Stadium at Troy University.

Trailing 21-7 in the third quarter, EA got some life in the third quarter with an interception catch by Fred Flavors, who then returned it to the Autauga 30-yard line.

With 7:37 left in the third, Gumapac scooted in from 3 yards to cut the lead to 21-14 after a successful point after attempt.

The Generals, who finished a perfect 13-0, put together a nice drive on their next possession, which ended up with a Tripp Carr 57-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Payton with 18 seconds left in the third. With the PAT from Luke Palmer, AA took a healthy 28-14 lead.

EA wasn’t about to give up just yet as the Cougars dialed in an almost 5-minute drive that was eclipsed with an 8-yard Gumapac pass to Jabe Dawe with 7:11 left in the game.

Throughout the game, EA’s defense got its team out of needed jams despite facing a hard offensive attack.

AA tried a hook-and-ladder play for a 2-yard loss with 2:57 left in the game, but decided to punt, where EA started at its 19.

The Cougars didn’t get anything going on the first couple of plays, and used their last timeout with 1:35 left.

Gumapac then launched a heave way down field to Flavors, where the ball sailed just out of reach on fourth down.

AA lined up in victory formation and kneed the ball with just over a minute left.

After the opening kick off was returned 85 yards for a score by Kendrick Rogers in the first quarter, EA answered with an 86-yard touchdown run from Patrick McGhee