USJ remains unbeaten; North Side, TCA pick up region wins

The University School of Jackson football team had their postgame huddle and talk from head coach Derrick Pritchard in the first few minutes after their 26-13 win over Jackson Christian.

As the rain fell on Kirkland Field, a group of students about double the size of the team gathered at the gate ready to storm the field. The team broke down the huddle but had to stop the students from coming out too quickly.

There were still more team activities to do before the students came out, A minute later, the students got permission to enter the field and the party ensued.

“That’s what it’s all about right there,” Pritchard said, watching well over 100 teenagers have an impromptu party in the southern red zone of the field. “It’s all about community, and this win was for the team and players who endured a big loss to this team last year and this community who wanted this win this go-round.”

Jackson Christian scored first, but USJ established its identity in the game, going early and often to the run game with Noah Spencer and Jackson Pugh moving the ball on the ground behind their teammates blocking for them.

“As the week wore on, we saw that the weather would probably be like this,” Pritchard said. “So we had a wet ball practice on Wednesday, and when a downpour moved through the area [Thursday], we came out without shirts and had a walk-through in it to get our minds right.”

Spencer, who’s had career-defining games all season, had his biggest night of the year so far with 301 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries. He also was the receiving leader with 30 yards on two catches.

Alex Wallace and Ben Melton were effective on defense as Wallace had 16 total tackles, three for loss and Melton finished with 14 total tackles, four for loss. Noah Britt recovered two fumbles.

North Side 29, Lexington 21: The Indians jumped out to a big lead and held on to it late to start Region 6-4A play with a victory.

North Side led 16-7 at halftime and came close to adding a third score right before intermission before time ran out. Javonte Smith ran 12 yards for the first score.

North Side has won three games in a row.

TCA 20, Fayette Academy 14: Things started slowly for the Lions as they were actually down 14-0 in the third quarter before TCA scored twice quickly to pull within two.

The second touchdown was a catch by Brayden Waller from inside the 5-yard line that was set up by a 43-yard reception to get within striking range of the end zone.

TCA’s defense didn’t allow another score for the Vikings while TCA scored one more time to get the win and start play in Division II-A West the right way.

Crockett Co. 19, South Side 13: The Hawks’ defense did a good job for keeping the Cavaliers from scoring like they typically do, and they actually led 13-7 going into the fourth quarter.

But the Cavaliers made the necessary adjustments to get a pair of late scores to get the come-from-behind win.

Westview 65, Liberty 6: The Crusaders actually led this game briefly as the Crusaders scored first, but it was all Chargers after that when Liberty took the loss in their first Region 7-3A game.

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news