The CCA Cougars overcame a slow start to pull off a 41-15 victory over Cornerstone in the first round of the playoffs.

The Cougars did all the scoring in the first half, scoring a touchdown on their behalf and giving Cornerstone a safety following a high snap on a punt.

CCA led 7-2 at halftime, but they adjusted at halftime.

“We just couldn’t get it in the endzone in the first half,” said head coach Roland Jones. “They had some defenses that we hadn’t seen before, so we made some adjustments for the second half.”

The Cougars led 21-2 after three quarters and added three more touchdowns in the final period.

Overall, CCA had 346 rushing yards on 45 carries and six touchdowns.

Will Moses was the team’s leading rusher with 128 yards and two touchdowns, while Gunnar McCollough had 99 yards and a score.

Chris Wooten had three carries for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Gavin McKenzie had 39 yards rushing, and Shaun Lewis added 35 yards and two touchdowns.

Justin Fuller had a strong night on defense, recording 13 tackles, a sack, and both a forced and recovered fumble.

Wooten also had an interception.

“Our defense played well,” Jones said. “They scored late in the game on our ‘prevent’ defense.”

Now the Cougars can look forward to next week’s matchup with Jackson Academy, the team that knocked them from the playoffs last year.

“I think this was kind of a hump game for us that we needed to get over,” Jones said. “Now we’ve got Jackson again, and they’re a very good team.  We’ve got to prepare and be ready for them.”