Jackson Chr., USJ, JCM remain unbeaten
Jackson Christian (2-0) was tested more than most outside the locker room expected on Friday night when the Eagles hosted Peabody, but they came away with a 36-22 victory that showed their ability to use different players and rely on their defense.
Head coach Darby Palmer talked to his team afterward about how the victory was one for the entire team.
“It really was,” Palmer said in a later interview. “You look at the final score, and I’m sure when we see the stats later, we’ll see different ways different parts of the team really contributed in this win.”
Quarterback Austin Kelley was involved in four touchdowns, finishing 12-for 18 passing for 291 yards and three touchdowns. He ran 15 yards for another score.
Jay’Len Mosley, Easton Jones and Jay Pirtle each had a touchdown reception. Jones led the team in receiving yards with 130 on five receptions. Mosley had 96 on six receptions. Pirtle’s touchdown was his only reception, which was good for 65 yards. He also carried the ball 10 times for 39 yards.
Linebacker Kai Wyatt led the defense with 15 total tackles, one for loss and a forced fumble. Gavin Walker had eight with two for loss, and Skylan Staten had nine with two for loss.
JCM (2-0) 30, South Side (1-1) 16: The Thursday night matchup between public school Jackson rivals was back and forth as both teams was going for a 2-0 record.
The Cougars gained the upper hand in the fourth quarter to grab the lead.
They were able to seal the win late with an interception and another score for insurance in the game’s final minutes.
USJ (2-0) 56, Union City 23: The Bruins’ offense picked up where it left off the week before as they tacked on eight more touchdowns in the second game of the season.
Noah Spencer was the workhorse for the team, carrying the ball 17 times for 255 yards and six touchdowns.
Jackson Push rushed for another one as he carried the ball three times for 42 yards.
Quarterback Corben Howard completed six of 12 passes for 139 yards. Alex Wallace caught the bulk of those passes, as he recorded 128 yards on four receptions.
Wallace also helped on the defensive side as he led the team with 14 total tackles that included three for loss and a pair of forced fumbles.
Ben Melton was the No. 2 tackler with eight total takedowns with one for loss and a quarterback sack.
Bradley Stamper had a defensive touchdown with a fumble recovery and return.
TCA (1-1) 49, Franklin-Grace 7: The Lions left little doubt in this matchup and made sure their two-hour-plus trip to play was worth it.
They led 28-0 after one quarter and 42-0 at halftime.
Receiver Brayden Waller had six receptions for 221 yards and a pair of scores in those first two quarters.
North Side (1-1) 55, Liberty (0-2) 6: The Crusaders scored their touchdown early, but it apparently didn’t affect the Indians much as they were up by three scores a few minutes later.
All points were scored before halftime.
Week 3 schedule
TCA at USJ
South Side at Liberty
Goodpasture at Jackson Christian
JCM at Camden
Obion Co. at North Side
