By Staff
Arthur McLean
The Escambia Academy Cougars and Sparta Academy Warriors squared off Friday night at Cougar Stadium in a South division AISA match-up.
The Warriors came into town trying to avenge a lopsided loss last year to the Cougars, but they couldn't stop Escambia's big-play offense, as the Cougars won handily 47-0.
The Cougars got the scoring going early in the game, as they used a Josh Montiel to Bucky Dawson play-action pass to set up a Kevin White four-yard touchdown run to make the score 6-O. J.R. Hall then kicked the extra-point to make the score 7-0. After a Warrior turnover on their following possession, the Cougars put the ball in the endzone again with a nine-yard touchdown run by tailback Norris Brooks. The extra-point conversion attempt was no good so the score remained 13-0.
The Cougars scored again with 11:53 left in the second quarter, as White rumbled into the endzone and scored the two-point conversion to give Escambia a 21-0 lead. The Cougars then scored their last touchdown of the half with a beautiful 52-yard pass from Montiel to a streaking Cody Norton to make the score 27-0. Hall made the extra-point attempt, so the Cougars took a 28-0 lead into half-time.
"Our boys really came out and played hard from the start," Cougar head coach Heath Gibson said. "From the first whistle to the last our guys never let up that's what you're looking for in a team".
The Cougars began the second half much like the first as White scored two more touchdowns in the third quarter on runs of seven and eleven yards to give Escambia a commanding 40-0 lead. Joe Drew finished off the scoring for the Cougars as he bulled his way into the endzone from eight yards out to give Escambia a 47-0 victory.
The victory continues a string of brilliant play for the Cougars on both sides of the ball, as they have outscored opponents 100-6 in their last two games.
"Our defense and offensive line have really stepped it up this year," Gibson said. "We have emphasized defense this year during practice and our offensive line is improving every week, so I am really excited about the rest of the year."
Kevin White led the Cougars in offense as he ran for 110 yards on 12 carries and four touchdowns. Bruce Smith and Emon Brooks followed for the Cougars as Smith had 64 yards on four carries and Brooks had 48 yards on seven carries. Montiel went 4 of 6 passing for 126 yards and one touchdown.
Norris Brooks lead all Cougar defenders with five tackles. White also had three tackles and two interceptions. The
Cougars next game will be at Jefferson Christian next week in Birmingham at 7:30 as they try to improve on their 2-1 record.