By By RYAN CARTER
Advance Publisher
For the Escambia Academy Cougars, homecoming was bitter sweet.
The school celebrated its 30th anniversary with alumni from all around attending the festivities.
But on the football field, things did not go so well for the Cougars.
EA gave up 20 points in the first quarter and failed to pick up a first down in the same period.
The Cougars fall to 0-6 on the season with the 41-6 homecoming loss to the Calvary Christian Watchmen who came into the game with a perfect 5-0 record and ranked 6th in the state.
Taking the opening kickoff, the Cougars failed to move the ball and were forced to punt.
That's when things started to happen for the Watchmen.
Taking the ball around the Cougar 35, the Watchmen return man went the distance for the game's first score.
Calvary missed the PAT and at the 9:40 point in the first quarter Calvary led 6-0.
On the next series, the Watchmen sacked Cougar quarterback Josh Davis for a 6-yard loss forcing another punt.
Mixing the run with the pass, the Watchmen quickly moved down field with gains of 11, 4 and 6-yards. After moving to the Cougar 14, the Watchmen scored on first down on a 14-yard pass completion.
The two point conversion failed making the score 12-0 with 5:53 remaining in the first.
On the Cougars next possession, Calvary forced another punt and the Watchmen special teams did it again.
Although they didn't score, they gave their offense excellent field position at the EA 24.
But the Cougar defense wouldn't allow another Calvary score.
After moving to the EA 21, Calvary found themselves in a third and 7 situation. Giving to their running back who had been picking up large chunks of yardage, Rob Mosley and Brian Adiar combined on a solid stop allowing a small gain and forcing a fourth and long situation.
But Calvary wouldn't be denied. Returning to their running game, the Calvary runner picked up 10-yards and a first down at the Cougar 10-yard line.
Dropping back to pass, Calvary scored on the next play on a 10-yard completion. Calvary went for two and failed but a Cougar penalty gave them another chance. This time the attempt was good for two points giving the Watchmen a 20-0 lead in 1:02 remaining in the first.
The first quarter woes continued for the Cougars on their next possession. EA fumbled at their own 36 and Calvary recovered.
But that's when Calvary returned the favor.
A Watchmen fumble was recovered by Davis and returned to the Calvary 47.
The turnover seemed to spark the Cougar offense which picked up 13 yards on the next play moving to the 34. Two consecutive illegal procedure calls on Calvary moved the Cougars to the 24.
Momentum continued to build for the Cougars when Brian Adair picked up 5-yards on first down moving EA inside the Watchman 20.
Unfortunately, the Cougars committed their second turnover of the game on the next play fumbling at the 13. The Watchmen recovered and ended the Cougar scoring threat.
That's when things went from bad to worse for the Cougars.
With first and 10 at their own 13, a Calvary runner burst through the EA line and out ran defenders 87 yards for the score.
The PAT made the score 27-0 with 8:12 remaining in the first half.
Less than a minute later, Calvary would score again. After forcing another Cougar punt, Calvary threw one pass and ran the ball one time and found themselves back in the end zone.
Adding the extra point, the Watchmen stretched their lead to 34-0 with 7:10 remaining in the half.
But the Cougar offense would not say die.
Going to the air, Davis completed two passes to his tight end Jace Beasley and one to wide receiver Daniel Alaniz. Those gains combined with a personal foul call on the Watchmen and the Cougars found themselves knocking on the door at the 8-yard line.
That's when the Cougars turned to the strength of Adair. On first down, Adair picked up 5-yards to the Watchman 3. On second down, a pass from Davis to Beasley was tipped and fell just beyond his reach as he fell into the end zone.
The Cougars returned to Adair on third down who took EA to the 1.
Not to be denied, the Cougars handed to Adair again on fourth, and he muscled his way in for the Cougars first score. The PAT was no good making the score 34-6 with 4:41 remaining.
The Watchmen would score again just before the half making the score 41-6.
The second half was a defensive struggle with neither team able to score.
Although EA would drive to the Calvary 10-yard line late in the game, they were unable to pick up necessary yardage for a first.
The game ended with the final score 41-6.
The Cougars will travel to Sparta Academy next week for their second area game of the season.