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September 19, 2015 @ Winston Academy
By Kade Moody
Despite the enjoyment that the Simpson Academy Cougars experienced the previous week by going on a long road trip and beating up on rival AAA Leake Academy for all of their friends and family to see, a second consecutive week staring down the highway for a two-plus hour road trip could have very easily felt like a daunting task, even for the then 4-0 Cougars. The Cougars’ schedule required them to travel to Louisville, Ms (just short of Starkville) to take on AAA foe Winston Academy. To compound the challenge, Winston was feeling good coming off a 75-40 shellacking of Wayne Academy in a home game the previous week. The history of games between these two teams was one of massive collisions, mixed with much blood and sweat as both teams typically play a power form of football taking their opponents head on. This week’s matchup definitely had some pops, however was also characterized by big, explosive plays with seven of the nine total touchdowns on the night being for 50 or more yards each.
Simpson’s Kyle Burney got the track meet started early in the first quarter breaking open for a 55 yard TD run making it clear to everyone in the stadium that no one on Winston’s defensive side of ball was a match for his speed. Scott Johnson then stepped in to begin his night of being perfect on PATs to round the score to 7-0 with 8:42 remaining in the first. That ultimately proved to be the only score of the first quarter; however brothers Mathew and Aaron Burney connected early in the 2nd to increase the Cougar lead. The play developed as Simpson’s junior quarterback Mathew Burney rolled left toward the visiting crowd and heaved the ball toward the corner of the end zone that brother Aaron was streaking toward, covered tightly by a Winston defender. As the ball approached, Aaron soared high above the defender reaching over him and simply taking the ball away for the second Simpson score of the night. Johnson again stepped up and nailed the ensuing PAT. Just as it was beginning to look like a relatively easy night for the Cougars, Winston put together a drive eventually taking them to the Cougar 5 yard line. Facing 3rd and goal, the Winston QB fired a shot up the middle into the end zone. Simpson’s Riley Runnels slapped the ball back toward the line creating initial jubilation, only to quickly realize that it landed directly in the hands of a Winston lineman who then rumbled into the end zone for Winston’s first score of the night. With 8:54 to go in the 2nd , the game felt much closer at 14-7. Simpson quickly responded with a positive offensive attack however a questionable clipping call resulted in the Cougars facing a 1st and 23 with 6:34 in the 2nd. Whether infuriated by the call or simply another day at work, on the next play, Burney (QB Mathew, that is) zigged and zagged around and through defenders ultimately breaking it open and putting his speed on display on his way to a 68 yard TD run with Johnson again booting the points up to 21-7 to end the 1st half. The second half opened with a three and out for the Cougars followed almost immediately with Winston QB connecting for a 66 yard TD pass to again narrow the Cougars’ lead. This, however, would prove to be the only score of the 3rd quarter for either team and the 4th quarter would begin at 21-14. As usual, Simpson’s offseason conditioning routine gives them a distinctive advantage in the 4th quarter. As other teams begin to wilt, the Cougars typically step up their game, and tonight would be no exception as they eventually outscored Winston 21-7 in the quarter. Simpson’s 4th quarter attack included another Burney to Burney air connection as Mathew again connected with Aaron, this time for a 63 yard TD pass. Mathew also raced for another 65 yard touchdown run; however the referees again found a way to try to help the home team calling it back. The Cougars answered the flag on the very next play as Kyle Burney said no problem – I will take this one, and raced the distance to put the points back on the board. The remainder of the 4th quarter was a display of years to come as several younger Cougars got their chance for recognition including sophomore Dillan Hollman, who typically serves full-time on the defensive side of the ball, and stepped over the running back slot and raced through the defense for 48 yards and the final Simpson TD on the night. Simpson sophomore Andrew Kennedy also put on a show maximizing his time on defense in connection with his traditional duties as a kickoff team specialist, racking up enough tackles to ultimately be the 2nd leading tackler for the night. As usual, Simpson’s defense was led by senior Triston Cowan with 4.5 tackles. Other leaders for Simpson’s swarming defense was Cook Weathersby, Patrick Zila, Zack Lee and Landon Herrington, all registering multiple tackles and creating havoc and pain all night for their opponents. Junior defensive end Austin Teater also made a splash on the night registering 2.5 tackles, including a huge 9 yard sack to put an explanation mark on the night. In total, Simpson racked up a total of 621 yards of total offense, averaging an impressive 11.3 yards per play, while allowing only 101 yards rushing and 236 through the air.
With this win, Simpson sports a 5-0 record and is poised to return back home this week to open district play against Cathedral from Natchez in a critical district competition. Cathedral was the 2014 A State Champion in the MHSAA and just this year joined the MAIS due to rule changes in MHSAA restricting out of state players from participating in Mississippi public school athletic events. In 2015, Cathedral has a 4-1 record with the only loss being at the hands of AAAA powerhouse Jackson Prep and is ranked #4 in the MAIS AAA. Simpson is ranked #2 in the state in the MAIS AAA. The game this Friday night between these two teams at 7:00 at Loyd Jones Field will be the first ever meeting and is being billed as a clash of two titans of the MAIS.
