The Simpson Academy Cougars mounted a stirring second-half comeback Friday but came up just short as Lamar held on for a 21–19 win.
The Cougars’ late surge wasn’t enough to erase a 21–0 halftime deficit, despite shutting out Lamar in the second half behind defensive adjustments and clutch plays on offense.
Lamar looked like the team in control. By halftime, they had built a commanding 21–0 lead. Simpson’s offense sputtered, and Lamar’s execution on both sides of the ball kept the Cougars off balance. That three-score margin seemed daunting — but Simpson refused to lie down.
Whatever was dialed in during halftime, Simpson’s defense emerged with renewed purpose. The Cougars held Lamar scoreless in the second half, turning the momentum with tough third-down stops, tighter coverage in the secondary, and better gap control up front. Simpson’s offense also found its rhythm, leaning on quarterback Braxton Baldwin to spark life into the comeback.
With 9:06 left in the 3rd quarter, Simpson finally got on the board. In a perfectly executed double pass, Baldwin flipped the ball to Brady McKenney, who then launched to Kolt Walker for a 65-yard touchdown. The Cougars had broken through, and energy began shifting their way.
The tension rose steadily as the fourth quarter unfolded. The Cougars kept applying pressure, inching closer with every possession. With 9:41 left in the game, Baldwin again connected with Walker — this time on a 34-yard strike — cutting Lamar’s lead to 21–13. The comeback was on.
Then, with time ticking, Baldwin powered in on the ground for the final touchdown, narrowing the margin even further to 19–21.
For a brief moment, the Cougars were within reach of the lead.Simpson had clawed all the way back, flipping the momentum and pushing Lamar to the brink. But Lamar managed to hold just long enough, stifling Simpson’s final drives and preserving the slim two-point win.
Despite the loss, this game showed the resilience of the Cougars. Facing a 21–0 hole at halftime, Simpson staged one of the tougher comebacks you’ll see — shutting down Lamar’s offense in the second half and unleashing big plays when they counted.
Though the scoreboard didn’t swing in their favor, the belief and adjustments were evident.
The challenge now comes for the Cougars to carry this momentum into the next week. If Simpson’s defense continues to rise and the offense continues to make timely plays the Cougars will be a tough team to beat.
