Jefferson County Stings Hornets, 34-12
JCHS vs. Carter, August 28, 2015
Staff Photo by Melanie Fritz
JCHS vs. Carter, August 28, 2015
Staff Photo by Melanie Fritz
As Jefferson County took the field on Friday night, a field they had taken back during the offseason in a scrimmage, it was the first time the Jefferson County Patriots and the Carter Hornets had played a meaningful game since 1982; kind of odd, since the 2 schools are separated by just 15 miles. On that night 33 years ago the Patriots won 29-13. On Friday night, the outcome was the same, a JCHS victory 34-12.
Jefferson County, for the second week in a row, would get down early 6-0, on a blocked punt returned for a Carter touchdown by Tristan Key. “We challenged our special teams at the half” Head Coach Kenny Cobble added, “We were sloppy as could be in the first half, but they tightened that up in the second.”
The Patriots would respond quickly, marching down the field ending with an Austin Jenkins 17-yard touchdown to senior, Gorel Soumare, and the game was tied at 6. A poor PAT attempt kept the game tied at 6.
The two teams would trade punts for much of the remainder of the first half, until Jenkins would find another fellow senior wideout in Noah Carter. This time it was again from 17-yards out, and the Patriots would lead 13-6 with 4:28 remaining until the break. The Patriots would get another scoring opportunity after Zack Rogers made a 22- yard reception to the Carter 26-yard line. Carlos Gaytan would miss the field goal, wide left, as time expired on the first half with the score 13-6.
Carter would fail to reach the end zone offensively in the first half and Cobble says that was huge, “That was huge” he explained, “ We knew that our defensive line would be key in this game, we had challenged them all week, and man they answered the call.”
Jefferson County’s offense would answer the call in the 2ndhalf, particularly in the third quarter. Jefferson County outgained Carter 146-17 in the third quarter and that would show on the scoreboard as well.
A 49-yard completion from Jenkins to Noah Carter would set up a 4-yard Touchdown run by Michael Ealy. On Carter’s next possession D’Angelo Brooks would also find Noah Carter, unfortunately for the Hornets, Carter was not wearing green and Jefferson County would take over at the Carter 39. A few short plays later, former quarterback Zack Rogers, would catch his first touchdown in a Patriot uniform from 14-yards out and JCHS led 27-6.
After a Patriot fumble, Carter would dent the Patriot lead but failed on the 2-point conversion, leaving the score 27-12. Carter would then recover the onside kick, but would falter and turn the ball over on downs to the Patriots. “ We challenged the guys , as long as you are in the game you might as well make plays.”
The Hornets momentum would be short lived however, when Noah Carter took a crossing route 63-yards to paydirt once more, making the score 34-12. “That is a good play for us” Cobble explained, “ We missed it a couple times early, by overthrowing it, but we settled back down and was able to make a play.”
Jefferson County was led on defense by, Jacob Varney and Noah Smiley. Varney would have 5 tackles and 2.5 sack, while Noah Smiley would have 6 tackles and 2.5 sacks as well.
Jefferson County’s offense would pick up where it left off in week 1. Austin Jenkins had another big game, 20-34 322 yards and 4 Touchdowns. Noah Carter, likewise, had another phenomenal game with 7 receptions for 141 yards and 2 Touchdowns.
With the win Jefferson County is 2-0 for the first time since 2012 and will travel to State Powerhouse, Maryville, next Friday night at 7:30.
Total Yards: JC-413 Carter-147
JCHS vs. Carter, August 28, 2015
Staff Photo by Melanie Fritz
