TUSCALOOSA – It was a game of the Alabama Independent School Association's No. 1 ranked Tuscaloosa Academy and No. 3 ranked Escambia Academy here Friday night and the Knights from Tuscaloosa showed why they are number one with a 31-7 victory.
After a scoreless first quarter, Tuscaloosa Academy cracked the scoreboard on a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful PAT to give the Knight's a 7-0 lead. TA would add another first-quarter touchdown on a 24-yard run and following the PAT the score was 14-0 heading into halftime.
The Knights opened the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run and the PAT gave Tuscaloosa Academy a 21-0 lead.
The Cougars found the end zone on the ensuing kickoff when Shannon Wheat returned the kick 73 yards for a touchdown. Orlando Medea added the PAT and Escambia Academy had closed the lead to 21-7.
The Knights added a field goal in the third and scored on a 44-yard touchdown pass in the fourth to make the final margin 31-7.
Escambia Academy rushed 22 times for 64 yards with Patrick McGhee picking up 55 yards on 11 carries. Quarterback Jabe Dawe was zero for seven passes for zero yards and two interceptions giving the Cougars a total offensive effort of 64 yards.
Tuscaloosa Academy ended the game with 388 yards of total offense.
“We pretty much got whipped up front in this game,” said Escambia Academy head coach Hugh Fountain. “Tuscaloosa was physical, and as much as I hate to say it, they took it to us.”
“Pretty much, nobody played well for us, including the coaches. It was a team effort that we certainly do not want to repeat.”
Coach Fountain did note that Jabo Davis had 16 tackles and Daughtry McGhee has 14 tackles.
Escambia Academy now turns its focus to this Friday night when the Cougars play host to Clarke Prep.
“It's a key area game for us,” Coach Fountain said of Clarke Prep.
