Crenshaw Christian Academy used the big play and a solid defensive effort to stun the South Montgomery County Academy Raiders 34-14 last Thursday night in a key area matchup in Grady.

Cougar quarterback Klein Jones hooked up with a streaking Chad Heartsill for an electrifying 77-yard touchdown toss on the game's initial play to shock the Raiders' faithful.

A swarming Cougar defense, led by linebacker Foster Carpenter's seven solos tackles and one assist, kept SMCA's offense in check the entire evening. Not far behind were Russell Pettis with five tackles and three assists and Nick Atkinson with a 5-1 chart. The Raiders posted two scores with less than five minutes to play against the Cougar subs to avoid the shutout.

"This was a big win for us," CCA Head Coach Roland Jones said. "We played with a lot of intensity tonight. Our offensive line blocked really well and the defense was swarming to the ball all night. We had a couple of turnovers that slowed us down, but the defense picked it up when we needed it to."

Also turning in fine defensive numbers were Bubba Faulk with a 3-5 slate, Mason Pettus 3-2, and Wallace Kelley with

three solo tackles and one assist.

The Cougars' offensive squad, led by Faulk's 210 yards on 21 totes, amassed 335 yards on the ground. Jones connected on 6 of 12 passes for another 138 yards through the air.

Heartsill led all receivers with two catches for 86 yards, Faulk caught one pass for 28 yards, Andrew Griffin also hauled in one pass for 14 yards and Caleub Mount and Pettus snagged one each for 5 yards each.

Crenshaw went up 7-0 at the 11:39 mark in the opening stanza to the delight of Cougar fans.

CCA would add to its lead early in the second period when Faulk scampered in from eight yards out to cap off a 75-yard, 11-play drive. Faulk's boot was wide as CCA went up 13-0.

Cornerback Shawn Nelson's interception at the 37-yard-line set up the Cougar's third tally.

Jones hit Heartsill for a quick nine-yard gain, but the Raider defense stiffened. On fourth and three Coach Jones called Faulk's number and the senior responded with 24-yard gallop for the first.

A holding infraction threatened to stop the Cougar charge again, as they were faced with another fourth down decision. Jones rose to the occasion and flipped a screen pass to Faulk in the left flats for a 28-yard gain to the SMCA 11-yard-line.

On the next play, fullback Sloan Carter, who finished with 69 yards on six carries, slipped past the Raiders' defense for an 11-yard touchdown jaunt. Faulk notched the two-point conversion to up the Cougars' lead to 21-0.

The Cougars' defense set up another score when defensive end Andrew Armour hit the Raiders' quarterback and safety Mason Pettus picked off the errant pass. Another penalty pushed CCA back to their own 4-yard-line.

Faulk's 20-yard blast got the Cougars rolling again. Two first downs later Allen Sasser's fumble recovery near midfield kept the Cougar drive alive.

Shawn Nelson, who had 54 yards on five carries, bolted 25 yards to the SMCA 15-yard-line and on the next snap the junior tailback scampered into the end zone on a 15-yard run. Faulk's kick was wide, but CCA increased the margin to 27-0 to close the third period.

Faulk closed out the Cougar scoring on a 29-yard touchdown run to cap off a 33-yard, three-play effort. The kick made it 34-0 with 8:20 left in the contest.

SMCA's Daniel Sullins' one-yard touchdown plunge and kick made it 34-7 at the 4:35 mark. Minutes later Corey Griffin scored on a nine-yard run to make the final score 34-14.

CCA hosts Chambers Academy at 7:30 Friday night.