By By Matthew Nascone
Execution on big play chances was the deciding factor in the Escambia Academy Cougars 35-7 loss to the Marengo Academy Longhorns Friday night in Linden.
"They (Marengo) capitalized on big plays when they had the opportunity and we stalled out a couple of times inside their 30-yard line a couple of times," EA head coach Heath Gibson said.
The Cougars (1-4, 1-3) were down 7-0 early after Marengo's quarterback rumbled 40 yards on the ground for a touchdown on the Longhorns third play from scrimmage. EA stormed back when sophomore quarterback Jon Dean hit sophomore wide receiver Tank Mitchell for a 72-yard hookup to the Marengo eight-yard line.
Dean and the Cougars could not punch the ball in, Marengo stopped them on fourth and goal from the four-yard line. The Longhorns then took the ball 96 yards in 12 plays for another score and an early 14-0 lead.
The Cougars were down 28-0 at the half and could not recover.
"We came out flat and they took it to us," Gibson said. "That goal-line stand they had early in the first quarter was a huge momentum swing and we could not recover from it."
Dean broke the goal line for the Cougars' only score in the fourth quarter with a one-yard run. Junior placekicker Dustin Brown's PAT was true, making the score 35-7.
Dean finished the game with 68 yards rushing on 16 carries and was 4-for-8 through the air with 87 yards.
Junior running back Kaweta Coon added 96 yards on the ground on 15 carries for the Cougars.
Mitchell and senior linebacker Ethan Brooks led the charge on defense with nine tackles apiece. Junior linebacker Blaine Garrett and junior defensive back Jordan Kline each added six tackles.
Gibson said the team needs to refocus for next week.
"We just need to regroup and come back strong next week," he said. "We have to go back to work Monday and get better on what we do as a team."
The Cougars host Sparta Friday night for Homecoming 2007. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.