Escambia Academy's Patrick McGhee only touched the football seven times Friday night at Fort Dale but the Cougar running back picked up 215 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead EA to a 48-13 win.
Escambia Academy (8-2) will begin post season play this Friday night at home against Coosa Valley. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
EA head football coach Hugh Fountain said his team has been battling injuries and illnesses, but said he was proud of how the Cougars finished the regular season heading into the playoffs.
“It's a new season,” Fountain said. “Records don't matter. Everybody enters the playoffs with a 0-0 record.”
McGhee opened the scoring for the Cougars on a 9-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter and Sam Martin added the PAT to give EA the early 7-0 lead.
McGhee then scored on a 42-yard run and Martin's PAT gave Escambia a 14-0 lead.
Cougar quarterback Jabe Dawe then hit Chase Bell on a 25-yard touchdown pass and Martin added the PAT to give Escambia a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
McGhee opened the second quarter with a 73-yard touchdown run and Martin's PAT increased the lead to 28-0.
Fort Dale cracked the scoreboard late in the second quarter on an 11-yard pass from Baron Brock to Spencer Jackson. The PAT failed and Escambia took a 28-6 lead into the lockerroom at the half.
McGhee opened the third quarter with a 51-yard touchdown run. Martin's PAT was no good but EA took the 34-6 lead into the fourth quarter.
Jabe Dawe scored on a 45-yard run early in the fourth quarter and Martin's successful kick gave the Cougars a 41-6 lead. Cameron Cloud later hit Sam Fields on a 35-yard pass to give the Cougars a 48-6 lead.
Ft. Dale found the end zone again in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter on 35-yard pass. The PAT was good to make the final score 48-13.
EA had 315 yards rushing and 81 yards passing for a total offensive effort of 396. Ft. Dale was held to 86 yards rushing and 16 passing for a total effort of 102 yards.
