By Jeremy Finch/Jefferson Jimplecute
Jefferson turned in another solid football season as the Bulldogs compiled a 7-3, 4-1 record.
In the past two seasons Jefferson is 15-6, 9-1.
The Bulldogs met up with Pottsboro last week in a bi-district tilt. The Cardinals were the third-place team out of District 5.
Jefferson and Pottsboro went into the half tied but the Cardinals pulled away late. The Bulldogs put up a furious rally but fell short as the Cards won the game 34-28 and ended Jefferson’s season at the same time.
First Quarter
Pottsboro received the ball to open the game and scored on its first drive. After a successful point after the Cards led 7-0.
The Bulldogs didn’t score in the opening frame but did have some positive plays. Kam Williams picked up plenty of yards on the ground, Ameron Bruce and Kobin Tomlinson garnered rushing yards and quarterback Tihmyus Thomas connected with receiver Chris Love on a couple of passes.
Jefferson ended the quarter on the move towards the endzone.
Second Quarter
Thomas hit Jeramaine Hopkins on a nice little screen pass and the elusive receiver bolted 23 yards for a touchdown.
Domonik Rivers split the uprights on the PAT and the score was tied 7-7 with 11:52 left in the first half.
Jefferson’s defense forced Pottsboro to turn the ball over on downs during its next drive.
The Bulldogs were in great field position at the Pottsboro 34. From there Williams picked up 26 yards on the ground and Tomlinson finished off the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run at the 9:10 mark.
Rivers hit the PAT and the Bulldogs were up 14-7.
Pottsboro scored again at the 6:34 mark and tied it at 14-all after the successful PAT.
That score would stand as the two teams went into the half.
Third Quarter
The Bulldogs received the kickoff to open the second half but a costly turnover put Pottsboro in prime position to score.
One play later and Pottsboro was up 21-14 after a TD and the PAT.
Jefferson’s next drive nearly stalled until Tomlinson made a nice jump pass to Anthony Flenoury. Tomlinson scored a few plays later but a penalty knocked that off the board. The Bulldogs eventually turned the ball over on downs.
The Cardinals scored on its next drive on a lucky heave to running back Major McBride. As the QB was almost sacked by a host of Bulldogs, he tossed the ball towards McBride and the massive RB took the rock 71 yards to the house.
The successful PAT put the Cards up 28-14 with 5:17 left in the third stanza.
The two teams traded possessions into the next quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Pottsboro scored on a 75-yard touchdown run in the final frame and after a missed PAT the Cards were up 34-14.
Needing three scores quickly the Bulldogs answered at the 9:31 mark after Taylor scampered 30 yards into the endzone. Rivers hit the PAT and the Bulldogs closed the gap at 34-21.
After a nice defensive stand by the Bulldogs, the Cards were forced to punt the ball away.
Williams picked up some nice yardage on his first two carries of the next drive and scored on a 42-yard gallop at the 6:33 mark.
Rivers hit the PAT and the Bulldogs were within striking distance at 34-28.
Jefferson didn’t allow another Pottsboro TD but also couldn’t score a TD of its own. The season ended when the clock hit zero.
Taylor had 81yards passing in the game with a TD and a rushing touchdown and Williams almost eclipsed the 200-yard mark with a 197-yard showing and a TD.
On the season Thomas passed for 1,914 yards and 21 touchdowns, Williams rushed for 1,983 yards and 24 touchdowns, Bruce added 231 yards with three touchdowns, Christon Bowman had 213 yards and five touchdowns, Chris Love had 641 receiving yards with seven touchdowns, Hopkins had 573 yards receiving with seven touchdowns, Travis Gray Jr. added 382 yards receiving with five touchdowns and Jakyrie Johnson posted 237 yards receiving with three scores.
Judsen “Moose” Carter had 11 tackles in the game, Tomlinson had eight tackles, Josh Bittle had 10, Devonte Marshall had 10 and Jatavion Harris posted eight tackles.
Tomlinson led the team in tackles on the season with 116, Bittle had 103 and Carter added 102.
Rivers was 4-for-4 on XPs in the game and 52-of-52 on the year.