Escambia Academy's Davis (35) plows into the end zone against Clarke Prep in Friday's game
Daughtry McGhee (22) takes the handoff from senior quarterback Jabe Dawe (11)
Escambia Academy raced to a 27-0 lead at home Friday night over the visitors from Clarke Prep and the Cougars cruised to a 41-7 win.
Escambia Academy will travel to Patrician Academy this Friday night for a 7 p.m. kickoff. It will be a battle of two defending state champions with EA claiming the AISA Class 2A last year and Patrician winning the 1A title. But this year, the two teams are in the same region.
Escambia Academy received the opening kickoff Friday night but Clarke Prep intercepted a pass but was unable to move the ball. The Cougar defense held the Gators and took over at its own 43-yard line.
Patrick McGhee picked up a first down in Gator territory and the Cougars moved to a first down at the 27 before McGhee picked up another first down at the 5-yard line.
On third and goal from the 3, Jabo Davis plowed into the end zone. The PAT was blocked, but with 5:46 left in the first quarter the Cougars led 6-0.
The Gators went three and out and were forced to punt and Escambia Academy took over at its own 25. After moving to the 41, Jabe Dawe picked up a first down in Gator territory, but a holding penalty packed the Cougars up.
Dawe later hit Bryant Quimby for a first down at the Gator 49-yard line as the first quarter came to a close with Escambia Academy leading 6-0.
An offensive pass interference call had the Cougars facing a second and 20, before Dawe connected with McGhee on a 65-yard touchdown pass. Davis carried the two-point try into the end zone to give the Cougars a 14-0 lead with 11:40 left in the half.
The Cougar defense then got into the scoring action when Daughtry McGhee picked off a pass and went 82 yards the other direction for a touchdown. The PAT attempt failed, but with 10:52 left in the half the Cougars had stretched the lead to 20-0.
After holding the Gators, the Cougars marched down the field and Shannon Wheat scored from 7 yards out.
Hunter Findley's PAT was good and the Cougars took the 27-0 lead into the lockerroom.
EA would go on to capture the 41-7 victory.
McGhee led the Cougars with 251 yards rushing on 15 carries and two touchdowns.
