Simpson Academy has had a tough schedule to start 2023. The first three games were against the favorites to win or compete for their classification’s overall state championship.
The Cougars fought hard but came up short in all three. But you could see this young bunch get a little better each week. You knew it was just a matter of time before things started to click and they certainly needed some success to gain a little confidence. All that and more came Friday night in Pelahatchie as the Cougars faced long time rival East Rankin Academy. This is one of the Cougars’ oldest and most played series and a series dominated by the Cougars. Coming into the game Friday SCA held a 26 wins to 3 losses overall versus the Patriots.
This night, however, you could sense that the Patriots really thought they had a great shot at the Cougars. The game didn’t start quite like Cougars wanted as East Rankin stopped them on 3 straight plays and forced a punt that was blocked and recovered in the end zone for a safety. ERA led early 2-0 over the Cougars.
Actually, the first half was a close game statistically and on the scoreboard. The half saw the Cougars run and throw for good yardage but also saw them have a hard time blocking a couple of really talented players from East Rankin. East Rankin also had some success in the first half with their running game. The Cougars would go into halftime with a 14-11 lead, but it really felt like the game could go either way coming out of half.
The second half was another story all together. The Cougars came out, made some defensive adjustments and totally stopped the Patriot running game. The Cougars on O also did a much better job of blocking up front and really just dominated the second half of the ballgame.
You could see the confidence growing possession by possession in the second half and the Cougars ran away with the game with a final score of Simpson 41 and East Rankin 11.
Next week the Cougars travel to Taylorsville to take on the Tartars in what will be the first game for SCA football versus a MSHAA school. This is an exciting game for the Cougars and one that I hope we can continue to see even with other local schools.
I encourage all SCA fans to travel down to Taylorsville and support these young Cougars as they keep getting better and better each week!, 41-11
