By Jeremy Finch/Jefferson Jimplecute
Jefferson wrapped up its regular season schedule with an emphatic 56-21 win over Sabine last Friday evening.
The Bulldogs are gearing up for a deep playoff run and a big win over a district opponent is sure to help keep the team excited for what’s coming.
First Quarter
Sabine received the ball to begin the game and its fast-paced offense took the field. The Cardinal offense uses the no huddle aspect.
Sabine’s first drive was a quick three-and-out, or it would have been if the Cardinals had not made the odd choice of going for it on fourth-and-3 from its own 32.
Going for it on fourth down from its own 32 was odd enough, but the play selection of a long pass which was well overthrown was questionable.
Nonetheless, the turnover on downs set the Bulldogs up in prime field position at Sabine’s 32-yard line.
A short run by running back Kam Williams on the first play from scrimmage followed by a 13-yard pass from quarterback Tihmyus Taylor to Travis Gray Jr. set the Bulldogs up at the 17.
A penalty on Sabine moved the ball up to the 9-yard line. Williams gained seven yards on his next carry and followed that up with a 2-yard touchdown run with 9:40 left in the first quarter.
Domonik Rivers nailed the point after and Jefferson was up 7-0.
Sabine’s next possession was a clock-eating, nine play, 80-yard drive which ended with a 28-yard touchdown scramble.
Sabine made the PAT and the score was tied at 7-7 with 7:36 left in the first frame.
The two teams traded possessions for the remainder of the quarter.
Second Quarter
The second stanza began with Sabine punting.
Jefferson fielded the ball at the Sabine 47-yard line and began its next drive with a 9-yard gallop by Williams.
Christon Bowman took the next two handoffs down to the 25. On the next play Williams was set to be dropped for a big loss in the backfield but at the last second tossed the ball to an open Gray who waltzed into the endzone for a TD.
The PAT was good and Jefferson was up 14-7 with 9:44 left in the second quarter.
After a quick three-and-out by Sabine the Bulldogs received the ball on a punt and took over at its own 31-yard line.
Williams took the next four handoffs 48 yards including a 27-yard jaunt down to the Sabine 21.
From there Ameron Bruce took the ball nine yards and followed that up with a 12-yard TD run.
Rivers split the uprights and Jefferson was up 21-7 with 6:03 left in the first half.
Sabine’s next drive never got past midfield and the Cardinals had to punt the ball away.
The Bulldogs next drive was like a chapter out of War and Peace. On the 11-play, four-minute drive Williams picked up 26 yards on the ground, Taylor hit Gray for 20 yards on two plays, hit Hopkins for 11 yards and connected with Chris Love for 23 yards on two plays.
The final play was a Thomas to Love 15-yrd TD pass with 10 seconds left on the clock. Rivers hit the PAT and Jefferson extended its lead to 28-7.
An interception by Moose Carter ended the quarter.
Third Quarter
The Bulldogs received the ball to begin the second half. A failed onside kick by the Cardinals set Jefferson up at the Sabine 46.
A few plays later Thomas hit Hopkins Jr. for 40 yards down to the 9-yard line, but a fumble recovered by Sabine ended the scoring attempt.
The Cards couldn’t get anything going on its next drive and punted the ball back to the Bulldogs.
Jefferson asserted its dominating scoring ways on the next drive as Thomas connected with Jakyrie Johnson on a 65-yard TD pass.
After the successful PAT the Bulldogs had a commanding 35-7 lead with 7:10 left in the third quarter.
Sabine scored on its next drive to shorten the lead to 35-14 with 5:08 left in the third quarter.
Jefferson had another nice drive going but it ended with another turnover which was recovered by Sabine.
The quarter ended with Sabine driving towards the endzone.
Fourth Quarter
Four plays into the final frame and Sabine pulled within 14 after a 9-yard TD pass. The successful PAT brought the score to 35-21 with 11:09 left in the game.
Jefferson answered with a long drive which ate up plenty of time off the clock. Bruce ended the 9-play drive with a TD at the 6:21 mark.
The PAT was good and Jefferson extended the lead to 42-21.
Sabine’s next two drives ended with interceptions by Love. Jefferson’s next two drive ended with touchdowns.
One was a 41-yard TD pass from Thomas to Gray Jr. and the other was a wildcat QB keeper by Kobin Tomlinson.
After Rivers nailed both PATs the Bulldogs led 56-21. The game ended with Sabine running the ball in the redzone.
Taylor was 13-of-18 for 285 yards and three TDs, Williams rushed for 166 yards with a TD and a passing touchdown, Bowman added 60 yards on the ground, Bruce scored two rushing touchdowns, Gray Jr. had 109 receiving yards with two scores, Love had 68 yards receiving with a TD, Johnson had a TD with 65 yards receiving and Rivers was perfect on XPA as he went 8-for-8.
Defensively, Alex Pryor had 14 tackles, Jatavion Harris had 11, Devonte Marshall added 11 and Carter had 10.
The Bulldogs will play Pottsboro in the first round of the state playoffs at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Wildcat Stadium in Paris.