The Wilkinson County Christian Academy Rams began defense of their 2015 MAIS Class A-AA state championship with a 44-14 first-round win over the Glenbrook School Apaches Friday night.

No. 2 seed WCCA jumped out to a 10-0 lead on a safety by the defense, Caleb Poole’s 41-yard touchdown run and Steven Franks’ 2-point conversion run. Glenbrook cut it to 10-7 on Seth Tyler’s 36-yard TD pass to Mason Hood midway through the first quarter.

That would be the closest the 15-seeded Apaches (5-6) would get.

“We came out a little flat. Then we decided to wake up and play like we’re capable of playing,” Rams head coach Christopher McGraw said.

The Rams scored 34 consecutive points with two of their touchdowns being set up by the defense.

One play after Hutch Holden’s interception at the WCCA 12-yard-line, Poole scored on a 88-yard run for an 18-7 lead.

Four plays after Landon Giroir’s fumble recovery at the Glenbrook 33-yard line, Franks scored on a 7-yard run for a 26-7 advantage.

Poole had 209 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Franks had 96 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

WCCA (9-1) hosts No. 7 seed Tri-County Academy in a quarterfinal match-up at 7 p.m. Friday.