Prior to his team’s game Friday night against Wilcox Academy, Marion Military Institute coach David Ivey was worried about his team overcoming the numbers game.

After all, the Wildcats had 39 players on their roster, compared to the 19 on the MMI list. The difference was just too much for the Tigers.

Running back Sam Mosley scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal, and Drew Bozeman tallied a pair of touchdowns as Wilcox Academy beat MMI, 38-14, in the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

Wilcox Academy hit hard on its first possession, scoring on a 9-play drive capped when Mosley ran in from the 3-yard line with 6:15 left in the first quarter. Mosley also kicked the extra point to give Wildcats a 7-0 lead.

Marion Military responded with a long, grinding drive but could not advance past the Wilcox 45.

On fourth down, MMI punter Shephard Bowen salvaged a bad snap, but was dropped hard at the Tigers’ 37-yard line after desperately trying to find a hole on the left side of the field.

Three plays later, Wilcox Academy added to its lead when Bozeman went up the middle from the MMI 10-yard line to make it 14-0 with less than a minute left in the first quarter.

MMI showed heart and hustle despite falling behind.

Six plays after giving up their second touchdown, the Tigers finally got on the board. Quarterback Andrew Alexander connected with Jovaris Smith on a 67-yard pass play. Smith hauled in the long pass down the middle and sped toward the end zone with 9:36 left in the first half.

Wilcox battered its way back downfield, but stalled out in the MMI red zone as the Tigers put in a stalwart defense. Mosley capped the drive with a 27-yard field goal to give Wilcox Academy a 17-7 lead.

MMI’s next drive ended when Wilcox Academy defensive back Phillip Lyon recovered a Tigers’ fumble at the Wildcats’ 35.

The next few minutes were dominated by both teams’ defenses. That was Wilcox quarterback Chase Felts floated a pass over the middle to a waiting Jack Sims. The Wildcats’ tight end took it in for a 26-yard gain touchdown to stretch the Wildcats’ lead to 24-7 at halftime.

The second half started with a dramatic twist as MMI opened with an onside kick. Smith grabbed the loose ball for the Tigers and returned it to the Wilcox 46.

However, four plays later, Mosley snatched up an MMI fumble and ran it back 62 yards for the Wildcats’ fourth touchdown to make it 31-7 with 9:31 left in the third quarter.

Five minutes later, Wilcox Academy scored again when Bozeman ran a tightrope down the right sideline en route to a 32-yard score to give the Wildcats a 38-7 advantage.

Smith played quarterback for most of the second half for the Tigers. But a sack from Wilcox Academy defensive lineman Christopher Stone and an interception by defensive back Wade Brantley frustrated Smith’s efforts.

However, neither he nor his team quit, and with 4:08 left in the game Smith dived from a yard out to make it 38-14.