It wasn’t as pretty or dominant as some of their previous wins, but Sumrall kept it rolling Friday night against Richton. Behind big performances on the ground from Dannis Jackson and Ty’Rek Preston, the Bobcats improved to 5-0 on the year with a 33-20 win over the Rebels.
“It wasn’t our best game,” said Sumrall coach Shannon White. “Some of that was Richton, and some of that was us. But we still managed to win the game so we’re happy.”
In the early going, it was smooth sailing for White’s Bobcats, who put together a touchdown drive on the game’s first possession. Quarterback and Ole Miss commit Dannis Jackson capped the quick start off with a five-yard touchdown toss to T.J. Daniels.
A previous three-year starter at wide receiver, Jackson has been nothing short of efficient this season, completing over 70 percent of his passes.
“I’m trying to be the best I can be,” said Jackson. “I’m doing alright.”
Midway through the first quarter, Sumrall extended its lead to 13-0 after Ty’Rek Preston scored on a five-yard run.
About a minute later though, Sumrall’s starting defense allowed its first touchdown of the year, as Richton quarterback Dylan Farve hit Zach Mills for a Rebel touchdown. It would be the first of three scores on the night for Richton.
“We didn’t play our best game defensively,” said White. “Nevertheless, we’ve got a really good defense. I think we needed a little eye-opener maybe because we’re capable of playing better than that.”
With 2:45 left in the opening quarter, Jackson utilized his legs to extend Sumrall’s lead. On one play, the senior leaped over a Richton defender. A few plays later, he scored from 11 yards out.
“We know he [Jackson] can catch it, but he can run it, too,” said White. “He’s doing a good job for us at quarterback.”
At the end of the first quarter, White’s Bobcats led 19-7.
In the second quarter, after Richton’s second touchdown of the night, Preston added his second score, and a successful two-point conversion made it 27-14 Sumrall at the half. Preston, like Jackson, finished the contest with over 100 rushing yards.
“He [Preston] is hard-nosed and steady. He’s going to get you yardage,” said White. “I think he’s getting better every week.”
After neither team scored in the third quarter, Sumrall extended its lead to 33-14 midway through the fourth when Carson Duck scored on a three-yard run. Richton later added a touchdown on a Dylan Farve-to-Connor Graham connection, but it was too little too late as Sumrall won 33-20. As previously mentioned, the Bobcats are now 5-0.
“It feels good, but we’re not done yet,” said Jackson. “We gotta keep working hard to try to get where we want to be.”
Sumrall will go for 6-0 next Friday at Pass Christian, and Richton (3-2) will try to bounce back at home against Clarkdale.
