By By Chandler Myers
The Cougars of Canoe dropped a heartbreaking 23-6 loss to the Southern Cougars Friday in Greensboro, which puts them at 0-2 on the road this season.
The Cougars (2-2, 0-1) started the game with a bang as running back Jaylen Henry shot around the corner and sprinted 70 yards for a touchdown that put Escambia Academy on top 6-0. Henry finished the game with nine carries and 75 yards rushing.
After the big touchdown run, things stalled out for the Cougars offense as it had trouble moving the ball down the field.
Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said the Cougars looked strong to begin the game, but never had a good drive to get their production going.
The only other possible bright spot for the Cougars offense was a 56-yard run that was called back because of penalty.
Offensively, the Cougars had 135 yards of offense with Jon Dean running the ball 11 times for 28 yards and Brandon Goens gaining 37 yards on two runs.
The defense despite the score played well throughout the game, but could not hold back the Southern offense, which had good field position all night.
Cowboy McGhee led the Cougars in tackles with 17 with Cedo Coon recording 10, Ethan Linam getting nine stops, Clayton Dyess had eight tackles in loss and Jon Dean and Will Hendrix each had five.
Gibson said he was proud of his defense and the way they played.
The Cougars now go back into practice to prepare for the Pickens Pirates who travel to Canoe next Friday.
Gibson said his team just had to get focused and have a good week in practice if they want to win.
The Cougars and Pirates kick off at 7 p.m. at Bachelor Field.