There was plenty to build on for Alexander after last week’s rally that saw the Cougars score four times in the second half in a loss to a traditionally strong LaGrange team.

But trying to keep that momentum going against the No. 1 team in state would have been a formidable task for any team.

The Cougars weren’t lacking in the effort department at home against undefeated Sandy Creek, but the Patriots offense was just too powerful for Alexander to overcome.

Sandy Creek scored five times in the first half en route to a 42-6 defeat of Alexander last night.

The mood was somber on the Alexander sideline at the end of the game as quarterback Brian Dansereau was taken to the hospital via ambulance after getting hit hard on a sack midway through the third quarter.

After the game, Alexander head coach Matt Combs told his team Dansereau had a welt on his neck and to pray for him.

“I hope everything works out to where he’ll be fine like I think he is,” Combs said. “It’s just more precautionary than anything. He got whiplash on the sack.”

Dansereau played gritty against a Patriot defense that hasn’t give up much. Dansereau had 85 yards rushing and 20 yards passing to account for a majority of the Cougars’ 192 yards of offense.

Sandy Creek’s Kyle Wilson ran the game’s opening kickoff back 70 yards for a touchdown. The first of kicker Mitchell McMillin’s six PATs in the game was good to put the Patriots (7-0, 4-0 Region 5-AAAA) up 7-0 in a game where they would never trail.

Alexander defensive lineman Archie Humphries recovered a fumble on Sandy Creek’s first offensive drive, giving the Cougars the ball at their 48.

Three plays into the ensuing drive, Dansereau faked to tailback Mikell Lands and ran through a hole at right tackle for a 42-yard touchdown with 7:06 left in the first quarter. Andrew Chandler’s PAT was blocked leaving the Cougars (0-7, 0-4 Region 5-AAAA) down 7-6.

But Sandy Creek scored 28 unanswered points to take a 35-6 lead at intermission.

Eric Swinney’s 54-yard run on the Patriots’ first play after Dansereau’s touchdown put the Patriots ahead 14-6.

QB Cole Garvin added a 15-yard TD pass to Demarre Kitt to make it 21-6, Delvin Weems added a 1-yard run for a score and Antonio Williams took it in from 22 yards late in the second quarter to make it 35-6.

Weems added a 17-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter to cap the Patriots scoring.

Mikell Lands had 16 carries for 87 yards to lead the Cougars on the ground. Garvin led Sandy Creek, completing 10-of-16 throws for 114 yards and the touchdown. Swinney had four carries for 63 yards to lead the Patriots running attack.