Lucky 21—that seems to be the magic number for CCA head coach Roland Jones and his 8th ranked CCA Cougars as his high-powered offensive eleven has averaged 21 points per game in the last three match-ups.

But that score was enough as the blue cats capped off the 2009 regular season with a 9-1 overall mark and clinched the AISA Class A Region 1 title after a hard-fought 21-14 victory over the Cornerstone Christian Chargers. Cornerstone was previously undefeated and ranked 6th in Region 1.

Both teams entered last Friday night’s game posting 7-0 records in region play as they battled for home field advantage in the upcoming playoffs.

And, as everyone expected, this turned out to be a defensive struggle early as both teams tried to gain the offensive advantage over the other. That was not to be as both teams went into their respective locker rooms with the score deadlocked at halftime, 0-0.

After receiving the 2nd half kickoff, the Cougars wasted little time in starting the fireworks as quarterback Pete King hit a wide-open Darren Foster, who streaked down the right side of the Chargers’ defense for a 60-yard touchdown on the very first play.

Leading 7-0, Cougar back Kyle Furr slammed his way into the Cornerstone end zone with 8:44 left in the third quarter to give CCA a 14-0 margin, after place kicker Austin Brown made good on his second PAT of the night.

Cornerstone closed the gap on their next possession as Charger running back Josh Anderson outraced the Cougar D 70 yards for their first score of the game, cutting into CCA’s lead 14-7, toward the end of the third quarter.

Midway though the fourth quarter, the CCA offensive unit drove down to the Charger 35 yard line where they faced a fourth down and 8 yards to go for a first down. But Pete King’s pass fell short of its intended mark as the Cougars turned the ball over on downs. That’s when, with 7:42 left in the game, Cornerstone back John McKinley dashed 45 yards into the Cougar end zone, tying the game 14-14.

But the Cougars weren’t done yet as King hit sophomore wideout Austin Brown on a four-yard TD toss to put CCA up 21-14.

Cornerstone’s last ditch effort came to a sudden stop, however, when sophomore defensive lineman Rann Smyth intercepted a Charger pass attempt at the nine yard line to seal a Cougar win, the Region championship, and the home field advantage in the AISA playoffs.

Senior running back Nick Kilpatrick led all rushers with 133 yards on 16 carries.

This week will begin the AISA playoffs as CCA will host South Choctaw Academy (6-4). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.