The Compass Academy football team needed only one quarter to put away the Anthony Wildcats.
The Cougars led 35-0 after just the opening quarter in their 69-2 win against Anthony Friday at Ratliff Stadium.
Playing in a District 3-3A Division II game, the Cougars won their second consecutive game, moving to 2-4 overall, 2-0 in district.
Anthony fell to 1-6, 0-2.
“More than anything else, our defense played lights out,” Compass Academy head coach Boe Smith said. “We only had 20 snaps in the first half. If there was anything negative in the first half, it was our offense. We didn’t get much clicking on the execution part but I’m proud of our kids. We had a great week. I’m really proud of that.”
The last two games have been a night and day difference for the Cougars compared to how the season started after going 0-4 in nondistrict competition.
The Cougars began the season with losses to Sterling City (41-38), Iraan (34-14), Reagan County (38-7) and Idalou (63-0).
However, things have been clicking for the Cougars since beginning district play with last week’s 35-28 win against Crane and Friday’s 67-point win.
“More than anything, it’s just our kids buying in,” Smith said. “Even when we were 0-4, our kids remained committed. They stuck behind us as coaches and came to work every day. I thought we played a very tough nondistrict schedule. But we’ve been looking forward to district play.”
Compass Academy’s Braxton Morris returned an interception for a touchdown on Anthony’s first offensive drive and after Christian Bush’s extra-point, the Cougars had an early 7-0 lead.
The Cougars got another pick-six on the next drive. This time, it was Isaiah Salinas who brought it back for a touchdown with 8:16 left and Compass Academy had a 14-0 lead.
Compass Academy added another touchdown, scoring on a 14-yard run by Maxwell Tucker on a short drive with 5:21 left to make it 21-0.
Compass Academy then extended its lead to 28-0 off another pick-six and the Cougars remained firmly in control with five minutes left.
It was 35-0 soon after and the first quarter wasn’t even over yet.
After an interception by the Cougars, Compass Academy went on to settle for a field goal to make it 38-0 early in the second quarter.
The Cougars added another touchdown to make it 45-0. With 10:08 left.
Tucker scored on a four-yard run to help Compass Academy to a 52-0 lead with 7:09 remaining.
Compass Academy’s lead remained at over half-a-hundred at the half.
Anthony’s first points of the game came off a safety early in the third quarter.
Compass Academy paid back the favor with another pick-six to make it 59-2 with 5:56 left.
A punt return touchdown by the Cougars made it 66-2 with 3:53 on the clock.
Compass Academy had a 64-point lead at the end of the third.
A field goal made it 69-2.
Next up for the Cougars will be a district contest against Alpine at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 on the road.
The Wildcats will next face Crane at 6 p.m. Oct. 11 at home.
