GREENSBORO – It was a game of fumbles and penalties that led Southern Academy to a 46-0 win over Marion Military Academy Friday night.

Southern Academy took the lead early in the first quarter after quarterback Wallace Drury ran 19 yards followed with an after-point kick that put the score at 7-0.

Soon after, Marion Military Academy’s Jovaris Smith returned the kick-off and ran it in for a touchdown, only to have it nullified by a penalty for blocking in the back.

The second quarter saw much of the same action, with Bradley McCrory blocking a MMI punt and running it in for yet another touchdown. Drury succeeded with the after-point kick, bringing the score to 21-0.

Shortly after, Jason Segura caught a 41-yard-pass from Nathan Bonds and carried it home. The after-point kick, however, was not good and the first half ended with a score of 27-0.

The second half began with more fumbles, one of which was recovered by Drury and run 18 yards for a touchdown.

With three minutes left to go in the third quarter, Brandon Montz ran the ball 27 yards for a touchdown, but again the after-point kick was no good leaving the score at 40-0.

In the final quarter, Christian Montz of Southern Academy took the ball three yards to gain another touchdown, bringing the score to 46-0, after an unsuccessful after-point kick.

Though disappointed, Marion Military Institute defensive coordinator Sonny James was hopeful the team could improve in the coming weeks.

“We’ve just got to regroup,” he said. James said the defense had played well, but said they really needed to work on the offensive line and execution.

Despite the overwhelming victory, Southern Academy Head Coach Shaun Bonds said he wasn’t sure what to expect going into the game.

“They had a new coach so I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “They were better coached than last year, and it was a solid football game, but it wasn’t a pretty game.”

Bonds said there is room for improvement, and the team will be working on things before the next game.

“We missed a lot of plays,” he said. “But it was a good first game.”

Overall Southern Academy had 37 rushes for a total of 246 yards and completed 2 of 10 attempted passes for a total of 57 yards. They gave up one ball from a fumble but achieved one interception.

Marion Military Academy had 28 rushes for a negative 23 yards and successful received one of 11 attempted passes for a total of four yards. They achieved no interceptions but lost five of five fumbles.

Leading scorers for Southern Academy were Bradley McCrory with 46 yards and four touchdowns and Wallace Drury with 22 carries for 191 yards. Jason Lavendar completed six tackles and one pass deflection, followed by James Broussard with five tackles.