Everything went right for the Escambia Academy Cougars on Friday, in a 40-0 win over Southern Academy in Greensboro.

The team used defense and special teams to earn a lead in the first quarter before the offense even touched the ball, said coach Hugh Fountain.

After forcing Southern into a three-and-out, the Cougars’ Kris Brown ran the ensuing punt back 80 yards for a score.

The ball was then snapped over the head of Southern’s quarterback during the next Wildcats’ possession. Cougar linebacker Garrett Kirk snatched it and ran it back 28 yards for a score. Scott Brantley later ran an interception back 68 yards for a touchdown, Fountain said.

Fountain praised his defense’s performance.

“I think I counted 17 of the first 29 plays they ran at 0 or less yardage,” he said. “All but 12 of their plays were 0 or less yardage.”

The Cougar defense gave up a total of 31 yards to the Wildcat offense — 29 yards in the first half and 5 yards in the second half.

The Cougar offense scored three times. Once, on a 60-yard run by Tim Finklea and again on a 7-yard run by J.P. Sawyer. Kainoa Gumapac also scored for the Cougars from 2 yards out.

The Cougars had 181 yards rushing in the second quarter alone and no starters played after halftime with a running clock, Fountain said.

EA battles Macon-East at home on Friday night.