Escambia Academy started its defense of its state title in championship fashion with 63 points and 289 yards of total offense while holding Snook Academy to negative 47 yards of total offense in a season-opening 63-0 win.
Quarterback Jabe Dawe connected with Tyrese Smith on a 55-yard touchdown pass and Sam Martin added the PAT to give the Cougars an early 7-0 lead.
Patrick McGhee then returned a punt 30 yards for a touchdown. Martin's PAT was no good but EA had stretched its lead to 13-0.
Shannon Wheat then returned a punt 25 yards for a touchdown and Orlando Medea's PAT made the score 20-0.
Dawe closed out the first quarter scoring on a 15-yard run and Medea added the PAT to give Escambia Academy a 27-0 lead at the end of the first.
Daughtry McGhee scored on a 15-yard run early in the second quarter and Medea's PAT made the score 34-0.
McGhee found the end zone again from 18 yards out and Medea's PAT made the score 41-0 at the half.
Wheat started the scoring for the Cougars in the third quarter on a 35-yard run. Parker Robinson's PAT made the score 48-0.
McGhee scored on a 40-yard punt return, Christian Cook scored on a 5-yard run and Brady Howell sacked Snook's quarterback for a safety to make the final score 63-0.
The Cougars only had two first downs in the game, but held Snook to just one first down. The Cougars rushed 12 times for 186 yards and held Snook to negative 47 yards rushing and zero for four passing.
Escambia Academy hit on two passes for 63 yards.
“Patrick McGhee touched the ball three times and never got tackled,” said head coach Hugh Fountain. “One touchdown was called back on a penalty. No Escambia Academy player was tackled in the first half.”
“We had three punt returns for touchdowns and that can turn any game around,” Fountain added.
E.A. will be back in action this Friday when they travel to Tuscaloosa Academy.
