Jackson Christian found itself in a situation it hadn’t been in before during its game at Goodpasture Friday night.
Before the Eagles won 28-20, they were actually down by two scores, 20-7, in the second quarter.
After scoring first on the first drive of the game and forcing Goodpasture (2-1) into a three-and-out on its first possession, the Eagles (3-0) muffed the ensuing punt to give the Cougars the ball deep in Jackson Christian territory.
“After that, we kept shooting ourselves in the foot the rest of the second half,” said Jackson Christian head coach Darby Palmer.
The two-score deficit came as Jackson Christian tried to cut into Goodpasture’s lead. As the Cougars led 13-7, the Eagles kicked a field goal that was blocked. Goodpasture returned it for a touchdown and the 20-7 lead.
But the Cougars never scored again.
“There was more frustration and disappointment because we all knew this team was better than what it had been showing for most of the night,” Palmer said about the situation on the sideline after the turnover and score. “We just had to regroup, make a couple of adjustments here and there and go execute the plan.”
Palmer said the main message at halftime was to simply take a step back, breathe and just go out and execute the plan – no more or no less.
“Now the plan did change somewhat because we Coach [Rob] Phillips made a couple of key adjustments for us in his homecoming to Goodpasture,” Palmer said. “And the guys responded well.”
Jackson Christian outscored the home team 21-0 after halftime by controlling both sides of the ball, especially up front.
“I’ve got to go back and watch film, but I know it would be difficult for our guys to turn in a better performance than the one they did in the second half tonight,” Palmer said. “This team has some toughness about it, and we saw it tonight. I’m proud of them.”
Camden 31, JCM 14
The Cougars (1-2 overall, 0-1 Region 6-2A) slowed the potent Lions’ offense for much of the first three quarters as they trailed 16-8 going into the fourth quarter.
But Camden (2-1, 1-0) scored a touchdown in the opening minutes of the final quarter before JCM answered with a touchdown with 9:50 remaining to trail 24-14 after Jonas Patterson ran 25 yards for a touchdown.
Camden scored another touchdown with just under four minutes remaining to put the Cougars down by three scores with not much time remaining.
Obion Co. 35, North Side 25
The Indians (1-2) were down 13-7 at halftime but couldn’t catch up to the Rebels (3-0) in the second half.
The Indians will be back on the road next week, this time for their first region game at Lexington.
Week 4 schedule
USJ at Jackson Christian
Westview at Liberty
North Side at Lexington
South Side at Crockett Co.
TCA at Fayette Academy
JCM – bye week
