With all that Northeast Jones endured over the past several years - injures and sub-.500 regular season finishes - Friday night was a long time coming.
In a Week 4 Jones County rivalry, Northeast Jones (2-2) knocked off South Jones (1-3) 48-23 in The Jungle. It was the Tigers first win over the Braves since 2014 and first over a larger classification program since its 15-7 win over another county rival West Jones in 2015.
"I'm excited for our kids and coaches," said NEJ head football coach Keith Braddock. "Our kids have worked hard, and they've been through a lot. Only those kids and coaches and managers in the locker room know what we've been through and those up-hill battles we've had."
Northeast Jones lost momentum in the final minute of the first half - but not it's lead. After South Jones scored on a 10-yard pass play with 20.8 seconds left in the second quarter, the Braves won an on-side kick attempt and scored on the very next play.
The two quick scores narrowed a once 19-point Tiger lead to 28-23 at the break.
“We got our kids in the locker room at the half and told them if the game ended now, we’d win,” Braddock said. “I told them that if we go out in the second half and hold the ball, we’d still win.”
A second-half offensive explosion by Northeast Jones followed.
Recovering a South Jones fumble on a short kickoff, the Tigers pushed its lead to eight on a field goal by sophomore Jason Garica. Garcia also ended the 20 unanswered points second half for Northeast Jones on a 48-yard field goal with 2:17 left to play.
Though registering fewer plays on offense than South Jones, 59 to 43, the Tigers racked up 441 yards - most of which came on the ground. Senior running backs Zymarrian Ducksworth and Tony Barnes rushed for 345 of its 378 yards on the ground. Ducksworth, who rushed for 221 yards on 16 carries, had two scores, while Barnes, who carried the ball 12 times for 134 yards finished with three.
“Those two ran the ball tremendously hard,” said Braddock. “
Seniors, quarterback Mason Smith, and wide receiver Jaylon Hudson combined for a touchdown too. Smith's 40-yard strike to Hudson midway through the first quarter gave Northeast Jones a 21-9 lead. Smith finished 4-of-5 for 63 yards, scattering the ball out to four different receivers.
Momentum Change:
Northeast Jones shifted the momentum back in its direction after recovering a fumble on its short kick to South Jones to begin the second half. The Tigers never looked back, scoring 20 unanswered second-half points as the defense shut out South Jones in the two quarters.
Player of the Game:
Braddock praised his team’s offensive line.
“When our offensive line gets to moving like they’re supposed to do, we can do some big things [in the passing and running game],” noted the Tigers head coach.
Quote of the Night:
"Our kids have worked hard, and they've been through a lot. Only those kids and coaches and managers in the locker room know what we've been through and those up-hill battles we've had." - NEJ head coach Keith Braddock.
