Tigers make Homecoming happy

After a week of practice where Jacksboro coaches rode their players hard, the Tigers responded getting out to a quick start Friday evening.

With a nice Homecoming crowd behind the team, Jacksboro scored on three first-half drives and wound up with a 33-14 win over previously unbeaten Paradise. The Tigers are now 1-2 for the season while Paradise falls to 2-1.

Senior quarterback Ethan Sanchez, who was 5-11 for 116 yards, said the team got what it deserved after a disappointing loss last week.

“We needed them to get after us and they did,” Sanchez offered. “This is definitely something our fans can get behind for the rest of the year.”

Coach Brannon Rodgers said the quick start came simply by taking what was being given.

“They were selling us out on the run, so we threw the ball,” Rodgers said.

A 32-yard strike to Landon Davenport set up a six-yard Brayden Pewitt scoring run to get the Tigers on the board. The Jacksboro defense allowed just two first downs in the first half and forced a trio of three-and-outs to open the game.

Another Paradise punt led to a Tiger score, this time a 36-yard pass to newcomer Randall Hamilton set up Pewitt’s one-yard dive up the gut for a 12-0 lead to close out the first.

With injuries hurting the Tigers last week, Hamilton and fellow sophomore Dylan Thomas made their presences known. 

“They were the next men up and both did a good job tonight,” Rodgers said.

Thomas’ 11-yard run opened a five-play, 61-yard scoring drive which Sanchez finished by bolting 32 yards to the right-hand side to paydirt and a 19-0 cushion with 10:48 left in the half.

The squads traded touchdowns the rest of the contest. Jacksboro scoring on short runs, including the second of the year on the ground from Landon Davenport to put the Tigers up 33-6 in the opening minute of the fourth.

Jacksboro hits the road once again Friday, playing at Wichita Falls City View, which lost 33-13 to Seymour Friday.