Cougars roll up 391 rushing yards in blowout win

Chicago Academy came out and put a big time hurting on Rickover Naval Academy last Saturday as the Cougars rolled to a 47-3 win in the Inter-City regular season finale.

Sherman Bumper provided an emotional lift with an 85 yard kick return to begin the contest. Bumper scored three touchdowns to lead the Cougars past the Sea Dragons.

"It obviously set the tone," Chicago Academy head coach Elbert Kern said. "We knew one game he would break it for us. This happened to be the game. Sherman is a pretty fast kid".

"We were going to need this game to get back into (a tie for) first place," said Bumper who is only a junior.

Bumper actually made a prophetic statement the day before.

"He told me that he was going to run the kickoff back in practice yesterday" said Cougars junior tailback Mychal Jackson. "It was no surprise to me. It boosted up the team".

Jackson scored on a 58-yard run and Bumper added a 10-yard run as Chicago Academy built a 19-0 lead after the opening quarter.

The Cougars scored on their first three series and led 33-0 at intermission as Bumper added an 88-yard run in the second quarter while Jackson scored on a 50-yard run.

Chicago Academy took advantage of big plays, but they may have been more impressive on defense. The Cougars limited Rickover to only 103 yards of total offense.

The Cougars attempted only one pass and rushed for 391 yards as Jackson had 11 carries for 188 yards.

Chicago Academy could see Uplift again in the Inter-City playoffs. Uplift beat Chicago Academy 18-6 earlier in the season.

"Our kids were overconfident," said Kern on the loss to Uplift. "They thought the game was just going to be won by showing up but that wasn't the case. Our kids were flat that day. I'm very disappointed about that loss."

The players certainly won't forget a loss that cost them the conference crown.

"We were disappointed we lost to them," Bumper added. "We could have beaten them. We just didn't come out and play that game."

"It was a game we should've won," Jackson admitted. "We didn't do what we had to do and we came out on the bad side."

Rickover averted a shutout in the final quarter on a 33-yard field goal.

Kern has enjoyed his first season at Chicago Academy.

"Who would have thought Chicago Academy would be sharing a section title with a first year coaching staff?" stated Kern who was dumped with water after the win. "They are learners. They are willing to absorb everything and anything we give to them in practice. We have to keep it basic and simple."

The players have really enjoyed a coachign staff that includes former Amundsen head coach Carl White and Foreman head coach Chuck Saieva.

"They are a good coaching staff," Bumper said. "They break down things for us and show us how to do stuff."

"They just let us play," Jackson added. "They just prepare us and we come ready to play and run the ball."