Escambia Academy will wrap up its regular season this Friday night at Fort Dale Academy in Greenville before hosting Coosa Valley on Nov. 2 in the first round of the AISA playoffs, following the Cougars' 35-12 victory this past Friday night against Lowndes Academy.
Patrick McGee's first two runs this past Friday night resulted in touchdowns as Escambia Academy jumped out to an early 14-0 lead.
McGee opened the game with a 67-yard touchdown run and followed up with a 26-yard touchdown run. Sam Martin added both PATs and the Cougars had the 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
McGhee found the end zone again early in the second quarter on a 14-yard run and Martin's PAT gave Escambia Academy a 21-0 lead.
Late in the second quarter, Lowndes quarterback Tyler Smith hit Mason McCurdy on a 2-yard touchdown pass. The PAT failed and EA took a 21-6 lead into the lockerroom at the half.
EA quarterback Jabe Dawe hit McGhee on a 74-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter and McGhee then scored on a 10-yard run. Martin's PATS increased the Cougars lead to 35-6.
Lowndes scored its other touchdown on a 20-yard pass late in the fourth quarter to make the final score 35-12.
EA rushed for 218 yards with McGhee picking up 150 yards on 14 carries and four touchdowns. He also caught a pass for a touchdown.
The Cougars picked up 79 yards through the air for a total offensive effort of 297 yards.
Lowndes was held to 54 yards rushing but picked up 169 through the air for a total offensive effort of 223 yards.
Head coach Hugh Fountain said Dabo Davis led the Cougars on defense with nine tackles to help the Cougars wrap up region play with a 5-0 record.
Shannon Wheat had two interceptions for the Cougars and Coach Fountain praised the play of Tyler Newton, James Williams and Nolan Linam.
But Fountain noted that Lowndes' 169 yards passing was the first time this season the Cougars allowed more than 100 yards through the air.
