The Selma Times-Journal

Many of the players on the Meadowview football team weren’t of school age when the program last won a playoff game.

That isn’t a concern anymore after a 40-12 win over Escambia Academy Friday in the first round of the AISA playoffs.

“It feels good to finally end this drought and get the victory,” coach Rick Jackson said. “Randal Hamilton tonight threw the ball real well, and he had some big runs at times. The defense played well. It was just a great team effort and a great win for Meadowview.”

The Trojans (8-3) came up big on the scoreboard but partly because a swarming defense helped the team start five drives on their 35-yard line or better.

“We knew watching them on film they were going to be big,” said Davis Jones, who had eight solo tackles and three sacks. “But we knew we were going to be faster than them. It’s one thing to be big, but once you’re on the field you’ve got to back it up.”

Hamilton wasted no time getting suited to the postseason. His second pass of the night hit Will Pitts in stride on a post route that went 69 yards for a touchdown. Hamilton threw a 23-yard score to J.R. Lowe on the next possession and a 28-yarder to Ryan Aultman to make it a 28-0 game with 1:21 left in the first half.

Running back Brett Collins broke tackles and dove across the goal line for a 17-yard score earlier in the second quarter.

Collins helped Meadowview jump out fast again in the second half when he threw a touchdown pass to Aultman. Jones later rumbled his way across the goal line from 2 yards away to make it a 40-0 lead with 5:37 to play in the third.

Running back Cameron McGhee finally put the Cougars (4-6) on the board when he scored a 1-yard touchdown with 2:50 left in the third. Winston Bearden blocked the extra point, making Meadowview’s lead 40-6.

Escambia forced Meadowview into a three and out and scored on its next drive. This time it was a 2-yard keeper by quarterback Jon Dean.