By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
Jaylen Mbakwe had a huge game Friday night.
The Alabama commit completed 21 of 27 passes for 316 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Clay-Chalkville Cougars (12-0) past the Muscle Shoals Trojans (12-1) 44-27.
Mbakwe was especially deadly in the second half. He completed 7-of-8 passes for 164 yards and four scores.
While Mbakwe was happy with the win, he is focused on what lies ahead. “It is simple,” he said. “Win the next two.”
Marlon Compton was Mbakwe’s favorite target catching seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Mario Cravers had five receptions for 81 yards and two scores.
Clay-Chalkville got on the scoreboard first on a 2-yard Taurus Chambers run.
Muscle Shoals answered back and tied the game on a 4-yard scoring run later in the quarter.
Mbakwe hit Corey Barber with a 24-yard strike early in the second quarter to give the Cougars a 14-7 lead.
Clay kicker Antone Ellison drilled a 48-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to push the Cougars lead to 17-7.
Mbakwe hit Craver for a 22-yard score to give Clay a 23-7 lead to open the third quarter.
Muscle Shoals answered back on a one yard run to cut the Cougsr lead to 23-14.
Mbakwe went to work and hit Aaron Osley with a short pass that resulted in a 61-yard touchdown to make the score 30-14.
Mbakwe wasn’t done and hit Craver for a 31-yard score to push the lead to 37-14 late in the third period.
Muscle Shoals scored on three of their five second-half possessions but could not close the gap.
Mbakwe closed out the scoring with a 43-yard touchdown pass to Compton to make the final score 44-27.
The Cougars head to the semifinals to take on Parker (12-1). The Herd eliminated the Cougars in the first round of the playoffs last year.