GREENSBORO-The Southern Academy defense proved to be the difference in the game as the Cougars outlasted Shelby 15-6 in a rematch of last years state championship showdown.

Four times the Raiders made it into the red zone and three times they were turned away. However, on their first trip deep into Cougar territory the Raiders made it count with a six- yard touchdown run by Barry Harrison. The point after failed giving the Raiders a 6-0 lead with 10:10 remaining in the first period.

The Cougars would have to rely on their defense to get their first points of the game when Nathan Bonds met the Shelby runner in the end zone with authority to record the safety with 11:47 to go in the half.

The Cougar offense continued to sputter until the half was nearing an end. With less than five minutes to go in the half the Cougars rolled off an 11 play 78 yard drive capped with a two yard Wallace Drury run on fourth down to give the Cougars the lead at the half.

Drury would also add the games final points as he lined up at quarterback and took the ball around left end for 80 yards. The extra point from Wes Henry was good giving the Cougars the 15-6 lead with five seconds to go in the third. The lead would hold up and propel the cougars to a 4-0 mark on the year.

The Cougars hit the road next week to take on East Memorial.