By By Chandler Myers
Escambia Academy’s running game ruled the night as the Cougars pounded the ball out on the ground and picked up 275 rushing yards as they crushed the Wilcox Academy Wildcats 30-8.
The Cougars (4-2, 2-1) gained traction from the win as they inched closer to a playoff berth and gained ground in their region race in AISA Class 2A Region 2.
Cougars Head Coach Heath Gibson said the win felt good, but added he the effort from his team still needs improvement.
Escambia Academy started the game off slow as they could not push past the Wildcat defense on their first series, and the Cougar defense allowed the Wildcats to march down the field to take the lead 8-0 in the first quarter.
After that touchdown, it was all Cougars as the run game opened up with Cameron “Cowboy” McGhee, Jaylen Henry and Jon Dean plowing through or sprinting right past the Wildcats defense.
When the Cougars got the ball back Cameron “Cowboy” McGhee was the workhorse for as he rushed 16 times for 116 yards and a touchdown, while picking up a new nickname from the escambiaacademylive.com crew as “First-down” McGhee picked up several first downs for the Cougars. McGhee also led the Cougars on defense with 12 tackles.
The drive for the Cougars lasted into the second quarter and put them right behind the Wildcats 8-6.
The ignited offense seemed to help the Cougars’ defensive unit as they were in the backfield almost every play making stops.
The defensive stops in return allowed the Cougars offense to push the ball down the field again to score another touchdown as Jaylen Henry, who ran for 59 yards on seven carries, put the ball in the end zone, while McGhee punched in the two-point conversion to help the Cougars take a 14-8 lead into halftime.
After the break, it was all Cougars as Jon Dean pounded through the Wildcats defense for 100 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns that were followed by two two-point conversions that help put the Cougars ahead 30-8 when the clock hit zero.
Gibson said the win helps put the Cougars in a great spot for the playoffs, and added that the Cougars are now looking at the goals they set at the first of the season.
The Cougars look to pick up their fifth win of the season next week at home against Marengo Academy. Kick off is at 7 p.m. at Bachelor Field.