The Simpson Cougars opened the playoffs with Leake Academy on Friday night in Madden.
Simpson kicked off to Leake to open the game. Leake drove to the Simpson 45 yard line before the Cougar defense forced a punt. The Cougar offense drove 79 yards in 17 plays capped off by a Caleb Garner 1 yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion run by Carter Cockrell was good, and with 2:18 to go in the first quarter Simpson led 8-0. Leake drove to the Simpson 23 yard line. The drive ended when Leake fumbled, recovered by Andrew Smith. Simpson went three and out and were forced to punt. Leake’s next possession resulted in a three and out and a punt. The Simpson offense went three and out and were forced to punt. Leake drove down to the Simpson 1 yard line, but the Simpson defense forced a turnover on downs. Simpson was forced to punt on their next possession. Leake took over with 1:28 to go in the half and could not move the ball as time expired in the half with Simpson leading 8-0.
Beginning the third quarter, the Cougars went three and out and were forced to punt, but an errant snap set up Leake at the Simpson 12 yard line. Leake took two plays to score on a Wyatt Estep 10 yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion failed and with 9:23 left in the third quarter Simpson led 8-6. The Cougars went three and out and were forced to punt. Leake drove 49 yards in five plays capped off by a Wyatt Estep 2 yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion was no good and with 6:01 left in the third quarter Leake led 12-8. The Cougars were forced to punt on their next possession and Leake took over at the Simpson 37 yard line. Leake drove 37 yards in six plays capped off by a Wyatt Estep 1 yard touchdown run. Cole Arthur added the PAT and with 24 seconds to play in the third quarter Leake led 19-8. Simpson drove 68 yards in 14 plays capped off by a Caleb Garner 1 yard touchdown run. Brentley Berry added the 2-point conversion run and with 7:49 to go in the game Leake led 19-16. Leake drove 51 yards in six plays capped off by a Rhett Atkinson 19 yard touchdown run. Cole Arthur added the PAT and with 4:09 to play in the game Leake led 26-16. Simpson fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Leake drove 38 yards in three plays capped off by a Canon Parks 1 yard touchdown run. Cole Arthur added the PAT and with 2:41 to play in the game Leake led 33-16. Simpson drove 73 yards in 12 plays capped off by a Caleb Garner 4 yard touchdown run. The two point conversion pass from Brentley Berry to Michael Winstead was good. The final score was Leake 33 Simpson 24. The loss ended Simpson’s season with a record of 6-5. Team stats: Simpson had 211 yards of total offense, 179 rushing yards, 32 passing and picked up 22 first downs. Leake had 242 yards of total offense, 150 rushing yards, 92 passing yards, and picked up 16 first downs.
