Munford remained perfect in region play on Friday as the Cougars put together what may have been their most complete game yet.

Penalties were kept to a minimum while the offense more than 200 yards on the ground and the defense managed to get three interceptions on the way to a 44-14 rout of Southwind.

Munford improves to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in region play, steamrolling toward an Oct. 29 showdown with undefeated Central to decide the Region 8-5A title.

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The Cougars jumped out early and took command of the game, scoring 31 points in the first quarter.

Their first possession was a 76-yard drive that was capped off by an Auvic White 15-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion.

After a failed Southwind (1-7) fourth-down conversion, Munford quarterback Jordan Bell led Munford on a five-play, 53-yard drive in which he threw for an 18-yard score to a wide open Icarius Hodgin. White again added a two-point conversion and the lead grew to 16-0.

On the Jaguars ensuing possession Munford defensive back Hunter Gill snagged an interception on a bad throw forced by quarterback pressure from the Cougar defensive line. With their next possession the Cougars easily marched it to the end zone again, this time with Aubrey Durham rushing for a three-yard scored and Ben Cerniglia adding 2 points.

The Cougars weren’t down with the first quarter yet as Icarius Hodgin got his first of two interceptions on the night to get the ball back for Munford. A 46-yard drive put the Cougars in the end zone yet again with a QB keeper from Bell. Braxton Brown added the extra point and at the end of just the first quarter, the Cougars were out to a commanding 31-0 lead.

Icarius Hodgin got his second interception in the second quarter leading to an 87-yard touchdown run by Auvic White. White broke numerous tackles and dragged a defender across the goal line to get the score and put the Cougars up 37-0. A 35-yard option keeper by Bell set up the Cougars in the red zone while Jace Hodgin muscled it in on an end-around for the touchdown. Munford went into halftime up 44-0.

The Munford second-teamers got plenty of reps in the third and fourth quarters on a running clock. Backup quarterback Aiden Jones was able to get work along with Durham being able to get more carries than usual.

White enjoyed another strong rushing performance with 181 yards one nine carries and also caught three passes for 41 yards. Bell completed 5 of 10 passes for 75 yards and added 69 on the ground.

Munford remains tied with Memphis Central at the top of 8-5A and has a two-game lead on everyone else, making the regular season finale with the Warriors the de facto region championship.

Central is currently ranked fourth in 5A by the Associated Press, but Munford is putting it all together at the right time to make a postseason run.

Chad Gatlin
Author: Chad Gatlin