By By Chandler Myers
Ending a losing streak is a good feeling, but ending it with a shutout against the opponents who started the losing streak is an even better feeling.
Last season, the Sparta Warriors handed the Escambia Academy Cougars a 35-0 loss to begin the 2008 season, which was followed by 10 more tough losses.
Friday night in Evergreen, the 2009 Cougars of Canoe (1-0, 0-0) pulled the revenge card and shutdown the Warriors (0-1,0-0) by blasting them 38-0.
Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said ending the streak felt like a huge weight lifted.
The rushing attack led the way for the Cougars as they picked up a total of 302 yards on the ground with two players going over 100 yards.
Cougars running back Jaylen Henry led the team in yards, rushing five times for 114 yards and three touchdowns.
Cougars wingback Jon Dean followed suit carrying the ball a team-high 10 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Gibson said his leading rushers just hit their holes and the Warriors could not stop them.
Also picking up yards on the ground were fullback Cowboy McGhee with 48 yards on nine carries for one touchdown. Braxton Chastang also picked up 37 yards on eight carries.
Defensively, the Cougars pressured the Warriors all night long swarming to the ball at all times.
Defensive tackle Will Hendrix led the team in tackles recording 12 stops with two sacks of the quarterback. Jacob Fields and Ethan Linam finished the game with six tackles apiece with Fields notching a sack.
Gibson said the defense played at an incredible level of intensity that kept the Warriors at bay.
With the Cougars ending the losing streak several players on the team were able to feel what it is like to win on a football field.
Gibson said winning that game and seeing their reactions made all of the hard work worth it.
The Cougars next game is Friday at Patrician Academy. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.