Usually when the score is 21-6, the game probably wasn’t that exciting. When you play your rival, 21-6 looks pretty good! Some fans however, base a season’s success on how you play against your rival instead of how the season in general goes. This year, Jackson fans have a reason to be proud. Traveling to Forsyth, the Red Devils showed the Jackson fans why they should be proud to wear red!
Friday’s game was a game about statements, and the Red Devils made a quite a few of them. The first one came with the run through sign made by the cheerleaders. Its message was simple: “These cleats are made for walking, and they’re gonna walk all over you!” The second was made by the players and was a little more subtle. After rumors of turmoil at the high school during the week, the Red Devils walked through the sign, arm in arm, with head coach Mike Parris right in the center of the line. The message was clear, “We’re here together, we’re here as one!”
As one, the Devils took the field and both offensively and defensively struck hard and struck fast. Jackson’s defense took the field first forcing the Bulldogs to punt after three plays that only moved eight yards. Jackson’s offense was also only on the field for three plays, but moved sixty five yards in less than a minute as quarterback Matt Cawthon connected with wide receiver Q. Stillwell for the first score of the evening.
The remainder of the first quarter became a defensive battle as the Devils again refused to give up a first down and the Bulldogs stubbornly refused to go down by fourteen, forcing a Jackson punt. Yet with two minutes remaining in the quarter, the Devils forced a fumble and recovered it on the Mary Persons eighteen yard line. Senior Akiir Griffin carried it in for Jackson’s second touchdown and with seventeen seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Devils led 14-0.
Defense was the game plan for both teams yet again in the second quarter. Mary Persons was successful in keeping Jackson out of the end zone for the third time, and the Devils defense stood strong, keeping the Bulldogs from gaining a single offensive first down.
Having won the toss and deferring to the second half, Jackson’s offense took the field with a comfortable lead to start the third quarter, but hoped to make it a little more comfortable. After being held back by the Bulldogs rush defense and penalties, quarterback Matt Cawthon connected with tight end Chris Head for a thirty nine yard pass, moving the Devils down to the Mary Persons twenty eight yard line. A Bulldog penalty moved the ball fifteen yards closer to the thirteen yard line. Thirteen yards was all Quint McKibben needed as he strolled in for the Devil’s third touchdown of the evening.
Defense again played a key role in the remaining quarter and a half of play. Mary Persons refused to go behind by anymore and Jackson refused to give up the shut out. The two teams exchanged a few punts as the game moved to the fourth quarter with the Devils ahead by twenty one points.
The final quarter began with the Bulldogs driving, gaining only their second first down of the evening. With a first and goal at the Devils’ seven yard line, the Jackson defensive unit showed their true colors. Holding the Bulldogs out of the end zone, Jackson took over on downs on their own three yard line. Being conservative and not risking a turn over, the Jackson coaches called for three rushing plays and were then forced to punt. Mary Persons took over with 6:38 remaining in the game on the Jackson thirty five yard line. After driving down the one yard line, the Mary Persons quarter back called his own number and dove in to the end zone for the Bulldogs first score. Following the missed extra point, Jackson led 21-6.
Refusing to submit, the Bulldogs recovered their onside kick but were stopped on fourth down as the Devils’ defense again showed what they were capable of. Jackson was able to move the ball again, but with only seconds remaining in the game, the Devils took a knee to run out the clock and claim the victory.
The Jackson defense performed at the highest possible level against their rival. They only allowed six first downs, three off penalties and not offensive production. The Bulldogs were held to only 101 yards of total offense, averaging only 2.2 yards per play.
With the win, Jackson moves to 5-0 on the season, 3-0 in region play. The Devils travel to downtown Atlanta Saturday, October 3, to face region opponent South Atlanta at Lakewood Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30pm.
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Since coming to Jackson in 1996 Coach Mike Parris has taken the Red Devils to new levels.
ReplyDeleteAs one of the biggest rivalries in the state of Georgia, the Jackson - Mary Persons game has become known as the “back yard brawl”. Before Coach Parris arrived in Jackson it was more like the back yard mauling, as the Bulldogs from down the road in Forsyth would beat up on the Devils year after year. In fact since the beginning of this rivalry in 1949 the Red Devils from Jackson had won only nine games up until you know who arrived. Now I know Coach Parris doesn’t suit up on Friday nights or any other time for that matter, but he does instill in these young men that winning attitude he brought with him.
In the time frame mentioned above the Red Devils had won only nine games against Forsyth in forty-seven meetings, so you can see how important this guy is to the Red Devils.
The Red Devils have put together three back to back wins against MP counting this year’s win for a record of eight wins and 6 losses, including two shutouts in 1999 and 2000.
Good luck to the Red Devils as they continue a winning season!