Simpson win sets up battle with #1 Lamar
By Darron Thomas, Southern Sports & Travel
The Simpson Cougars improved to 8-1 and 3-0 Friday night with a 23-13 district win over the Canton Panthers. The win was the third straight since a week six loss at #2 ranked Brookhaven. Simpson is preparing for what most say is the biggest game of the season when #1 ranked Lamar rolls into Mendenhall this Friday night. With a win over Lamar the Simpson Cougars will win the district 3AA title. Simpson has already secured at least a district runners-up finish while Lamar still has Leake in week eleven.
In Canton on Friday night Simpson struck first with 6:58 left in the first quarter as Kyle Munn ran in from 1 yard out. Justin Griffin’s PAT gave the Cougars an early 7-0 lead. That lead was short lived as Canton senior Kyle Warren returned the following kickoff 93 yards just 13 seconds later. The PAT failed as Canton trimmed the deficit to 7-6.
In the second quarter Simpson’s junior tailback Jacob Busby scampered for 25 yards to put the Cougars up 13-6 with 6:20 left in the half. Griffin’s PAT failed.
Each squad traded touchdowns in the third quarter. Kyle Munn scored on a 6 yard run with 7:51 left in the quarter followed by a Justin Griffin PAT to increase the Simpson lead to 20-6.
Canton came right back when junior quarterback Jeffery Davis hit wide-out Eddie Drane for a 40 yard touchdown pass with 3:10 left in the third quarter. Joseph Fox added the PAT to bring Canton to within seven points at 20-13.
Canton could get no closer in the final quarter. Justin Griffin’s 37 yard field goal with just over four minutes left put Simpson up 23-13.
Simpson rushed for 320 yards on the night. Sophomore tailback Cade Eiland led the way with 158 yards on 23 carries, senior Kyle Munn had 103 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns and junior Jacob Busby finished with 66 yards on 12 carries and a score.
Sam Cowart was 3/6 for 29 yards and two interceptions.
The Simpson defense held Canton to 39 yards rushing on the night. The third leading rusher in AA football, Canton’s Mackey Simpson, was held to 12 yards on 10 carries. Canton quarterback Jeffery Davis was 14/21 for 192 yards, a touchdown and 3 interceptions.
Simpson also dominated the time of possession on the night. The Cougars had the ball for 32:33 while Canton had it just 15:37.
Simpson’s Justin Griffin has continued his solid play in the kicking game. The senior is 21/28 on the season in PAT’s and he has hit two field goals of over 30 yards and one of 43 yards. He also averaged just over 40 yards a punt against Canton on Friday night.
Canton sophomore linebacker Ryan Saxton led the Panther defense with 11 tackles on the night while three different Simpson players brought in interceptions; Cade Eiland, Jacob Busby and Matt Herrington.
With the loss Canton fell to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in district play. The Panthers will host Winston Friday night before finishing out on the road against Hillcrest.
In Canton on Friday night Simpson struck first with 6:58 left in the first quarter as Kyle Munn ran in from 1 yard out. Justin Griffin’s PAT gave the Cougars an early 7-0 lead. That lead was short lived as Canton senior Kyle Warren returned the following kickoff 93 yards just 13 seconds later. The PAT failed as Canton trimmed the deficit to 7-6.
In the second quarter Simpson’s junior tailback Jacob Busby scampered for 25 yards to put the Cougars up 13-6 with 6:20 left in the half. Griffin’s PAT failed.
Each squad traded touchdowns in the third quarter. Kyle Munn scored on a 6 yard run with 7:51 left in the quarter followed by a Justin Griffin PAT to increase the Simpson lead to 20-6.
Canton came right back when junior quarterback Jeffery Davis hit wide-out Eddie Drane for a 40 yard touchdown pass with 3:10 left in the third quarter. Joseph Fox added the PAT to bring Canton to within seven points at 20-13.
Canton could get no closer in the final quarter. Justin Griffin’s 37 yard field goal with just over four minutes left put Simpson up 23-13.
Simpson rushed for 320 yards on the night. Sophomore tailback Cade Eiland led the way with 158 yards on 23 carries, senior Kyle Munn had 103 yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns and junior Jacob Busby finished with 66 yards on 12 carries and a score.
Sam Cowart was 3/6 for 29 yards and two interceptions.
The Simpson defense held Canton to 39 yards rushing on the night. The third leading rusher in AA football, Canton’s Mackey Simpson, was held to 12 yards on 10 carries. Canton quarterback Jeffery Davis was 14/21 for 192 yards, a touchdown and 3 interceptions.
Simpson also dominated the time of possession on the night. The Cougars had the ball for 32:33 while Canton had it just 15:37.
Simpson’s Justin Griffin has continued his solid play in the kicking game. The senior is 21/28 on the season in PAT’s and he has hit two field goals of over 30 yards and one of 43 yards. He also averaged just over 40 yards a punt against Canton on Friday night.
Canton sophomore linebacker Ryan Saxton led the Panther defense with 11 tackles on the night while three different Simpson players brought in interceptions; Cade Eiland, Jacob Busby and Matt Herrington.
With the loss Canton fell to 3-6 overall and 0-3 in district play. The Panthers will host Winston Friday night before finishing out on the road against Hillcrest.
