With nothing left to lose, and not state playoff chance on the line, Alexander took the game to the visiting Blue Devils of Columbus as the host Cougars won 43-7 Friday night in front of a rowdy Senior Night crowd.

The game started quickly for the Cougars behind the legs of senior Evan Wood. On the second play from scrimmage, the Cougars’ Wood went 35 yards off a quarterback option, taking the ball to the CHS 40. Wood added runs of 18, 4, 7, and 13 before scoring from three yards out on a second-and-goal for the quick six. Brian Dansereau rolled right on the two-point attempt and hit Brandon Walton in the end zone for the 8-0 advantage with 7:07 to play in the first quarter.

The Blue Devils were forced to punt on fourth-and-19 from the CHS 7 but a bad snap resulted in a safety and two more points for the Cougars.

Leading 10-0 with 5:29 left in the first quarter, Alexander added another touchdown to increase its lead. A 36-yard return by Jordan Paden started the Cougar drive at the CHS 34. Six plays later, Paden found the endzone from seven yards out for the score. The kick by Andrew Chandler made it 17-0 with 2:34 left in the first quarter.

Alexander surprised the crowd and the Blue Devils by kicking an on-side kick and easily recovering it to set up its third touchdown of the night. Paden did most of the damage but Wood completed two key passes on the drive. The first was a 13-yard reception by Dansereau on third-and-5 while the second was a 15-yard scoring strike to Walton. The point after was blocked, leaving the score at 23-0 with 11:20 to play until halftime.

The two teams traded punts and Alexander struck again just before halftime. Senior Paul McGregor started the Cougars in good field position with a 36-yard punt return. Quarterback Baylor Whitfield and Paden marched the Cougars down the field. Whitfield completed three passes for 29 yards and Paden carried three times and caught two passes for a total of 30 yards. Paden found the endzone again, scoring from two yards out to put the Cougars ahead 29-0 as the two teams went into halftime.

After a punt by Columbus on the first possession of the second half, the Cougars struck again. With the ball at the CHS 39, Whitfield hit Quinton Gissentanner for a 25-yard pass on first down. Three plays later, Paden strikes again from two yards out, his third touchdown of the night, increasing the lead to 37-0 with 7:31 left in the third quarter.

Columbus turned the ball over on its next possession. On third-and-three, Derrick James was trying to find his own player but hit Alexander’s Dansereau who returned the ball to the one. On the next play, Wood scored again to push AHS ahead 43-0.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils avoided the shutout thanks to a nice throw from Brandon Mapel. The freshman found a streaking Cam Genung down the right sideline for a 49-yard gain and a first-and-goal from the AHS 4. Two plays later, Ja’Quan Mason went off the right tackle for the score. The kick by Ryan Anderson cut the deficit to 43-7 with 4:24 to play in the game.

With the win, Alexander avoids a winless record for the 2012 season. They will play their final game next Friday when they travel to Fayette County.