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After a tough homefield loss the week before, Jacksboro was bound and determined tocomeoutandplayFriday, Oct. 21 at Merkel’s Badger Stadium.
That the Tigers did, rolling up 434 yards and taking control of the 2-0 in District 5-3A Division II Badgers early in a 50-7 win over the hosts. Both teams are now 2-1 in district, Jacksboro 5-3 overall.
The Tigers jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and never looked back. They outscored Merkel 22-7 in the second for a 36-7 halftime lead and then added a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to seal the victory.
Jacksboro displayed a balanced attack, quarterback Lando Belcher going 14-18 for 185 yards and three scores through the air. The Tigers rushed for 249 yards on the ground on 37 carries for nearly seven yards a tote as well.
Belcher had scoring tosses to Luke Sams and Kaleem Howard, the latter having seven receptions for 102 yards to lead the Tigers andtwoscores.Howard also had a seven-yard rushing touchdown as well. Sophomore Cannon Valenzuela had a good night receiving as well with four catches for 59 yards.
Sophomore Luke Sams also had three total touchdowns, rushing for two scores on the strength of a 20 carry, 141 yard rushing night and also catching a Belcher offering for another touchdown.
Baylor Laake also had a solid night rushing, getting 60 yards on seven carries.
The Tiger defense did an outstanding job, allowing 206 total yards. Badger QB Joey Zink was 9-15 for 156 yards in the air. Jacksboro held the Badgers to 50 yards on the ground on 31 carries or just 1.6 yards a carry.
Jacksboro sacked Zink three times with Baylor Laake, Kaidon King and Marcus Olivarez doing the job. Hunter Moffit led the way with eight solo tackles for Jacksboro. Olivarez and Paul Shackelford had six tackles each with Caleb Crowson addgame _ve.
The Tigers return home Friday, Oct. 28 for their Senior Night game with Millsap, which defeated Eastland last week. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
