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The Simpson Cougars faced off with East Rankin Academy Friday night for Homecoming. East Rankin kicked off to Simpson to open the game. The Cougars took five plays to drive 80 yards capped off by a Michael Winstead 16 yard touchdown run, Brentley Berry added the PAT and with 9:31 to go in the first quarter Simpson led 7-0. The Simpson defense forced a turnover on downs on the Patriots first possession. East Rankin held Simpson and forced the Cougars to punt. The score at the end of the first quarter was Simpson 7 East Rankin 0. East Rankin scored on the first play of the second quarter when Patrick Martin connected with Brock Tullos for a 47 yard touchdown pass, the two point conversion run failed and with 11:49 to go in the half Simpson led 7-6 . Simpson drove 80 yards in six plays and Michael Winstead scored on a 20 yard run, the PAT was no good and with 9:09 to go in the half Simpson led 13-6 . The Cougar defense forced an East Rankin three and out and East Rankin was forced to punt. Simpson’s next drive covered 55 yards in six plays capped off by a Michael Winstead 50 yard run, the PAT was no good and with 3:16 to go in the half Simpson led 19-6. The Cougar defense forced a punt on East Rankin’s next possession. The Cougars drove 51 yards in six plays and increased their lead to 25-6 when Brentley Berry connected with Carter Cockrell for a 10 yard touchdown pass, the PAT failed. The halftime score was Simpson 25 East Rankin 6. The Cougars kicked off to East Rankin to start the second half. The third quarter was a defensive battle with neither team scoring. The fourth quarter started with East Rankin on offense and on the second play they fumbled and it was recovered by Simpson’s Tyler Varnes. On Simpson’s first play Caleb Garner ripped off 57 yards to the East Rankin 23 yard line. It took Simpson three plays to score on a Brentley Berry to Andrew Smith 20 yard pass, the PAT was no good and with 8:30 to go in the game Simpson led 31-6. East Rankin answered quickly as Rouse Boyce hooked up with Porter Derden from 49 yards out, Jack Pittman added the PAT and with 6:50 to go in the game Simpson led 31-13. East Rankin attempted an onside kick recovered by the Cougars at the East Rankin 49 yard line. It took Simpson four plays to score on a Carter Cockrell 11 yard run, the two point conversion run by Andrew Smith was good and with 5:41 to go in the game Simpson led 39-13. The Cougar defense forced a three and out and forced a punt. Simpson scored on two plays when Carter Cockrell went 72 yards for a touchdown, the two point conversion pass from Brentley Berry to Andrew Smith was good and with 2:38 to go in the game Simpson led 47-13. Final score was Simpson 47 East Rankin 13. The win improved Simpson’s record to 1-0 in district play and 3-1 on the season.
The Cougars were led offensively in the rushing game by Michael Winstead with 19 carries for 194 yards and 3 touchdowns, Carter Cockrell 6 carries for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Caleb Garner 3 carries for 68 yards. In the passing game Brentley Berry was 7 of 10 for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. Michael Winstead had 2 catches for 73 yards, Andrew Smith had 3 catches for 51 yards and a touchdown, and Carter Cockrell had 2 catches for 21 yards and a touchdown. The Cougars were led on defense by Andrew Smith with 12 total tackles, Jordan Taylor 10 total tackles, and Mason Hyde 8 total tackles. Getting a sack or tackle for loss were Andrew Smith 5, Matt Adcock 2, Jordan Taylor 2, Dustin Couch 1, Vance Smith, Jr. 1, and Barrett Thompson 1. The Cougar defense had one turnover a fumble recovery by Tyler Varnes.
In team stats Simpson had 544 yards of total offense, 402 rushing yards, 142 passing yards, and picked up 19 first downs. East Rankin had 265 yards of total offense, 80 rushing yards, 185 passing yards, and picked up 13 first downs.
Simpson will travel to Hartfield Academy in Flowood on Friday, September 20, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. This will be the fifth meeting between Simpson and Hartfield. Simpson holds a 4-0 series lead and won last year 47-9. The Junior High Cougars defeated East Rankin 38-12, and the 7th and 8th grade won 6-0. The JH Cougars will host Park Place Academy on Thursday, September 19, with the 8th and 9th grade.game starting at 6:00 p.m.
By Coach Winston Mullins
Photos compliments of Simpson Academy Football Facebook page