Escambia Academy Cougars Win State Championship

November 22, 2014

The Escambia Academy Cougars from Canoe, AL, won the AISA Class AAA state championship Friday night with a 35-28 defeat of Bessemer Academy at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, AL.  It was the first football state championship ever for the school just outside Atmore — in fact, it was the first final game appearance ever for the Cougars.

The Cougars earned the win a on a one-yard touchdown run from Brett Gorum with just 49 seconds to play in the game, capping a 59-yard, seven play drive for the Cougars (11-1). On Bessemer’s final drive, an interception by the Cougar’s Kris Brown finalized the win.

Gorum was 5 of 7 passing Friday night for three touchdowns, including a 19-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to Tim Finklea, a six-yard pass to Maleek Salter, and a 59-yarder to Scott Brantley. The Cougar’s other score came on a six-yard run from Brown.

Finklea had a total of 125 rushing yards on 23 carries for Escambia Academy.

Three weeks ago, Escambia Academy lost to Bessemer 32-14 at home in Canoe – their only loss of the season.

The state championship was the first in 30 years for an Alabama school from the Atmore area. The Escambia High School Blue Devils win a state championship back in 1974. The Northview High School Chiefs, just across the line in Florida, won a state championship in  2012.

NorthEscambia.com expects additional high quality images to post later Saturday or on Sunday.

Pictured above and below: The Escambia Academy Cougars celebrate the AISA Class AAA state championship Friday night at Troy State’s Memorial Stadium. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge

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Comments

8 Responses to “Escambia Academy Cougars Win State Championship”

  1. mm on November 22nd, 2014 8:48 pm

    The Atmore Blue Devils won the 3A State Football Championship in 1983 in addition to 1974.

  2. Linda on November 22nd, 2014 1:20 pm

    Our boys proved that it takes teamwork to make the dream work! I’m so very proud of our whole COUGAR crew!
    Especially #16!!!
    Brett will ALWAYS be #1 in my book!
    **DREAMS DO COME TRUE**

  3. KF on November 22nd, 2014 11:59 am

    WOO HOO!!!! GO COUGARS! We are all so proud of you guys!

  4. Mary Spence on November 22nd, 2014 9:58 am

    So Proud of you EA Cougars!

  5. Uh huh on November 22nd, 2014 7:49 am

    Congrats to EA! Great Season!!! Atmore won in 1984 also. It’s still been a long time.

  6. well on November 22nd, 2014 7:13 am

    Congratulations Academy Cougars !!!!
    Looks like you’ve had quite the year and what a way too top it off.

  7. Regina Gohagan on November 22nd, 2014 6:49 am

    Great job! Proud of everyone of you. Congratulations for some mighty fine teamwork.

  8. Carl on November 22nd, 2014 6:41 am

    Congratulations on the win and Championship!!!!! Proud of you all :)

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports