Wilcox Academy never could get on track Friday night in Linden against the Marengo Academy Wildcats, and it cost them the trip to Troy and the chance to play for the 2A state championship.

The Longhorns looked like a team possessed for three quarters of the game, and by the time the Wildcats actually had a chance to move the ball it was to late.

It didn’t take the Longhorns long to get on the board. With 9:49 left in the first quarter the Longhorns picked up their first touchdown of the night on a 1 yard touchdown run by Patrick Cannon. Erik Taylor added the extra point, and the score stood 7-0.

Wilcox Academy looked as if they would be able to play with the Longhorns, as they took the next possession, and marched down the field. On 3&2 on the Marengo 34 yard line Josh Vick found Baine Henderson wide open for a 34 yard touchdown. The ensuing extra point failed and Marengo held on to a one point lead.

That was as close as the Wildcats would get all night. On the Longhorns next possession Cannon opened it up with a 57 yard run, and Derik Hereford added the touchdown on a 10 yard scramble. The extra point attempt was good, and the Longhorns stretched the lead to 14-6.

With 7:24 left to play in the second quarter the Longhorns struck again on a 9 yard touchdown run by Paul Mascarella. Taylor added his third extra point of the night to make the score 21-6.

The Longhorns struck one more time before halftime. Hereford took the handoff, and rumbled down the field for a 73 yard touchdown. Taylor added his forth extra point of the night to make the score 2-6 going into half time.

The Longhorns picked up their fifth touchdown of the night with 8:09 left to play in the third quarter. Mascarella took the hand off and rolled 26 yards down the field for his second touchdown of the night. Taylor added his fifth extra point of the night to make the score 35-6.

Marengo picked up their sixth and final touchdown of the night when Drew Robinson rumbled in for the touchdown from eight yards out. Taylor added his sixth extra point of the night to make the score 42-6.

The Longhorns will travel to Troy next Friday to play in the 2A state championship game.