Escambia Academy’s trip to Prattville started as a nightmare, but turned into a track meet of sorts as the Cougars fell to the No. 8-ranked Prattville Christian Academy Panthers 62-36 Friday night.

For the Cougars (3-2, 1-1), it was all about running back Jaylen Henry who put in another top-notch performance rushing for 427 yards on 27 carries and five touchdowns in the loss.

Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said Prattville just had a lot of athletes, but added Jaylen Henry played a strong game.

“They had really good athletes all the way around and outnumbered bad,” Gibson said. “Jaylen Henry had a heck of a performance though. Unbelievable the heart the kid has and how hard he runs the ball.”

Two of Henry’s touchdowns came from deep in Cougars territory as he ran one from 95 yards out in the second quarter and another scamper to the end zone from 94 yards out.

Things started out on a low note for the Cougars as they allowed the Panthers to jump out to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter that turned into a 30-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Cougars bounced back in the second quarter scoring 18 points off runs by Henry.

Henry wasn’t the only bright spot in the second quarter as sophomore quarterback Michael Thompson hit junior receiver Wesley Steadham for a 40-yard pass that set up a score by Henry. Steadham finished with two receptions for 56 yards.

Heading into halftime, the Cougars trailed 37-18.

Gibson said at halftime he told his team that they needed to fix assignment problems.

“They have two big defensive tackles and three jam-up linebackers,” Gibson said. “I told them to go out and play their hearts out in the second half. We pulled within eight points and there was a missed call by the refs that took the defense.”

The Cougars found life in the third quarter as they were able to pull within eight points of the Panthers.

Runs by Henry and Robert Whatley gave the Cougars a chance to make a comeback as they were down 44-36 before the Panthers grabbed control of the game again.

Thirty-six points would be all the Cougars would be able to get in the loss as they gave up 18 points in the fourth quarter to fall 62-36.

Defense was a problem for the Cougars throughout most of the game with the Panthers backfield able to find holes and break just as many big plays as the Cougars.

The secondary fielded its share of problems again, but did have one bright spot as Cougars safety Austin McGhee was able to pick off a Panthers pass in the second quarter.

Gibson said his defense has to keep working on assignments.

“J.J. Hudson isn’t a Division-1 prospect for no reason,” Gibson said. “That kid is a tremendous athlete and he played hard tonight. Our defense just needs to continue to work on their assignments and make sure they wrap up for tackles.”

Next week, the Cougars travel to Butler to take on Patrician Academy. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.