The Simpson Cougars hosted Hartfield Academy on Friday. Simpson received the openingkick but were not able to get anything going and were forced to punt. The Simpson defense, which has played well the last couple of weeks, was no different against Hartfield, forcing a three and out on Hartfield’s first possession. Simpson’s next possession started at the Hartfield 48 yard line. The Cougars took five plays to score on a Corbin Hosey 10 yard run, the 2-point conversion pass failed and with 5:54 left in the first quarter Simpson led 6-0.
The Cougars forced another three and out and took over on their own 11 yard line. Simpson needed only nine plays to drive 89 yards capped off by a Caleb Garner 39 yard run. Hooks Harvey added the PAT and with 30 seconds left in the first quarter Simpson led 13-0.
Hartfield drove to the Simpson 32 yard line but were turned over on downs. The Cougars used seven plays to drive the 68 yards. Finishing the drive was Caleb Garner on a 17 yard run. Hooks Harvey added the PAT and with 7:44 left in the half Simpson led 20-0.
The Cougar defense got in on the scoring action on Hartfield’s next possession when Hunter Cline intercepted a Caleb Parten pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. Hooks Harvey added the PAT and with 4:43 left in the half Simpson led 27-0.
Hartfield scored on its next possession on a Caleb Parten to Noah Gray 12 yard touchdown pass, the PAT was no good and with 1:19 left in the half Simpson led 27-6. Hartfield kicked off to Bryce Caughman at the Simpson 20 yard line and he returned it 80 yards for a touchdown. Hooks Harvey added the PAT and the halftime score was Simpson 34 Hartfield 6.
The second half started as the first half ended. Simpson forced a three and out and scored in five plays on a Bryce Caughman 26 yard run. the PAT was no good and with 8:06 left in the third quarter Simpson led 40-6. Hartfield drove deep into Cougar territory and Weston Adcock kicked a 25 yard field goal to cut the Simpson lead to 40-9 with 2:41 left in the third quarter.
Simpson took over on its own 31 and on the first play Corbin Hosey went 69 yards for a touchdown, Hooks Harvey added the PAT and with 2:22 left in the third quarter Simpson led 47-9. The fourth quarter saw neither team score and the final score was Simpson 47 Hartfield 9.
The Cougars were led offensively in the rushing game by Corbin Hosey with five carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns, Michael Winstead 6 carries for 78 yards, Caleb Garner 8 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns, and Bryce Caughman 2 carries for 37 yards and a touchdown.
In the passing game Mason Kennedy completed two passes for 29 yards. Thomas Pepper had one catch for 19 yards and Daniel Pepper had one catch for 10 yards. The Cougars were led on defense by Daniel Pepper and Corbin Hosey with 9 tackles each, Hunter Cline 7 tackles, and Preston Franklin 5 tackles. Getting sacks or tackles for loss were Daniel Pepper with 5, Corbin Hosey 2, Blake Boleware, Thomas Pepper, and Vance Smith 1 each. The Cougars had one turnover, an interception by Hunter Cline returned for a touchdown. The Cougars had one special teams score on a kickoff return by Bryce Caughman.
In team stats Simpson had 377 yards of total offense, 348 rushing yards, 29 passing yards, and picked up 18 first downs. Hartfield had 248 yards of total offense, 125 rushing yards, 123 passing yards, and picked up 15 first downs.
The Cougars will travel to Bowling Green School in Franklinton, LA on Friday, October 12, with the kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. Simpson defeated Bowling Green last year by a score of 42-14.
This will be the eighth time Simpson and Bowling Green have met on the gridiron, Simpson holds a 7-0 series record over Bowling Green.
