The hunt for a state championship came to an end for the Kingwood Christian Lions last Friday night in Alabaster.

The Lions, who finished the season 8-3 overall, fell to visiting Wilcox Academy 58-26 in the first round of the AISA Class 2A state championship playoffs.

Prior to last Friday&8217;s contest, Kingwood Christian School head football coach Jerry Stearns said Wilcox Academy was big, strong and runs the football. He said they don&8217;t throw much, but were effective when they did.

.Wilcox Academy rolled up 465 yards on the ground and completed one 9-yard toss.

The Lions managed 112 yards on the ground and 180 in the air for 292 total yards of offense.

Wilcox Academy struck early and often on the Lions leading 38-12 at the half and going on a 20-0 tear in the third quarter to lead 58-12 before two fourth quarter touchdowns made the score look a little more respectable.

The Lions were down 32-0 before Cody Owens collected a 24-yard pass from Andrew Pearce for their first touchdown of the contest.

Following another Wilcox Academy score to put the visitors up 38-6, Owens took in an 8-yard pass from Pearce to make it 38-12.

The final Lions&8217; scores came after the visitors led 58-12.

Owens collected a 19-yard pass from Nathan Pearce and Cam Spinks scored on a 7-yard run.

Owens caught 10 passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns for the Lions.