Escambia Academy's Shannon Wheat (1) picks up yards against Jay
The Cougars' Landon Sims (3) protects the ball in Friday's matchup with the Royals
Jay's Brenton Eister (2) rounds the corner to gain yards
JAY – Escambia Academy took a 38-7 lead into the fourth quarter at Jay Friday night before the Royals rallied with 13 points but it wasn't enough as the Cougars captured the 38-20 win on the road.
Jay will travel to Baker this Friday night while Escambia Academy will host Patrician Academy.
The Cougars received the opening kickoff and began at their own 28. Chase Bell hit Ty Williams for a first down at the 48 and on third and 1, Shannon Wheat picked up another first down at the Jay 31.
The Cougars capped the drive on a 2-yard touchdown run by Daughtry McGee. Landon Sims added the PAT and with 8:14 left in the first quarter, EA led 7-0.
Jay was held to a three and out on its first possession and forced to punt giving EA the ball at the Jay 34-yard line.
Jay's defense held the Cougars on their next possession and the EA punt went into the end zone to give Jay a first down at 20-yard line.
Both teams swapped punts before Jay took over at its own 23-yard line with 2:38 left in the first quarter.
On first down Jay quarterback Judd Smith hit Brent Eister on a 77-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 2:22 left in the first quarter the game was deadlocked at 7-7.
The tie was short lived after Wheat received the kickoff and ran it back 72 yards for a touchdown. Sims added the PAT and with 2:08 left in the first EA led 14-7.
In the second quarter EA's Jason Davis scored on a 3-yard run and Sims' PAT made it 21-7. Sims then scored on a 60-yard run and Orlando Medea's PAT made it 28-7. EA rounded out the scoring in the first half when Medea kicked a 16-yard field goal to give EA the 31-7 lead at the half.
On the third play of the third quarter, EA's Wheat scored on a 38-yard run and following Medea's PAT the Cougars had stretched the lead to 38-7.
Jay's fourth quarter rally began with Connor Roberts scoring on a 5-yard run and the PAT made the score 38-14.
Smith hit Cole Dunsford on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 4:32 left in the game. The PAT failed, leaving the score 38-20, which is how the game ended.
EA picked up 224 yards rushing on 38 carries and 85 yards on six of nine passing for a total offensive effort of 309 yards, Jay had 50 yards rushing and 161 passing for a total offensive effort of 211 yards.
