GREENSBORO-Southern Academy kept their winning streak alive by besting Patrician 35-33 in a back and forth battle. The Cougars controlled the ball and the line of scrimmage and the clock the entire game to keep the Saints off balance on both sides of the ball.

The Cougars looked as if they would dominate the game from the start as they drove down the field to open the game. However, Southern would turn the ball over deep in Saint territory.

The turnover set up a 7 yard Brent Bonner touchdown run with 6:52 remaining in the first period to give the Saints a 6-0 edge. The extra point was good making the score 7-0.

Southern answered right back and set the tone for the rest of the game with a 19 play 81 yard drive capped by a 2 yard Nathan Bonds quarterback sneak. Andy Wheeler added the extra point to tie the game with 8:05 to go in the half.

Patrician’s Cody Inhulson put the Saints in prime position returning the kickoff to the Cougar 29 yard line. Five plays later Bonner found Brandon Mosley in the end zone for a 10- yard scoring strike. The PAT was good again giving the Saints a 14-7 edge with 5:11 to go in the half.

Again, the Cougars would answer converting a big fourth down at their own 29 yard line before Johnny Kynard found Jason Segura for a 34 yard touchdown strike. The extra point was again good tying the game at 14-14.

The half would come to a close with both teams deadlocked.

The Saints came out of the locker room hot as they drove down the field before Beau Meeks found the end zone on a 28 yard run. However, Jason Segura blocked the extra point changing the tempo of the game.

The Cougars took their opening possession down the field riding Wallace Drury who would find pay dirt on the eighth play of the drive for a 3 yard score. Wheeler hit the extra point and the Cougars never looked back from their 21-20 lead.

The Cougar defense turned up the heat putting the ball back in the hands of their offense. On their first drive of the fourth quarter the Cougars expanded the lead as Drury again found the end zone with a 2-yard touchdown. Again, the extra point was good and the Cougars led 28-20 with 10:17 remaining in the game.

The Saints bounced right back with long kickoff return to the Cougar 20 to set up another score. This time Bonner found Mosley again in the back of the end zone for a 9 yard score to make the score 28-26. But the Cougar defense stepped up again to stuff the try for two leaving them with a 28-26 lead.

The games next play would put the game away for the Cougars. Drury took the Patrician kick at the 5 yard line and left several Saints in his path before cruising into the end zone from 95 yards out. The extra point was again good giving the Cougars a 35-26 lead.

Patrician added another touchdown on a Bonner to Barry Meeks touchdown pass to make the score 35-33, but would never threaten the Cougar lead again.

Southern pounded the ball deep into Patrician territory again to run out the clock.