Tigers rout Peaster

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Jacksboro’s football team, still learning its way with a new coach and system, may have had an epiphany Friday evening.

Down 24-7 iwith less than two minutes to go in the first half, the Tigers began to rebound immediately with a 71-yard scoring toss from Lando Belcher to Kaleem Howard. that, along with some defensive and special teams work in the second half, ignited the Purple, who would roll to a 48-30 win over Peaster at Tiger Stadium.

Jacksboro won its second straight game to go to 2-1 with the ‘Hounds slipping to 1-2.

The Tigers continued rolling after the score as Luke Sams recovered a fumble with 1:24 left but the squad was forced to punt. After forcing a ‘Hound punt, Belcher went to work on the ground, the junior QB’s 32-yard run moving the ball into Peaster territory. He completed the drive in the air with a 3-yard toss to 6’4” sophomore Cannon Valenzuela who made a nice leap to stay in bounds to bring Jacksboro within 24-21.

Both squads were hurt by penalties throughout the more than three hour contest but a Peaster holding penalty would force a punt. Ryan English would block the punt give the Tigers the ball at the 40. English was a blocking machine, the senior blocking four kicks on the night.

Having taken the momentum, a 24-yard pass to Tyler Mitchell and a Greyhound pass interference penalty set up first-and-goal at the two. Belcher and Paul Shackelford combined to finish the job on the next play. Randall Bustos’ kick was true to give the Tigers a 28-24 lead with 3:58 remaining in the third.

Peaster had one last gasp, scoring just 53 seconds later on an 87yard pass from Gunner McElroy to Rhett Steen. English had another block, this one of the extra point to keep the lead at 30-28.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Tigers with Baylor Laake scoring from six and five yards out and Belcher adding a 59-yard jaunt. Both Belcher (7 carries for 127 yards) and Laake (12-121) had over 100 yards rushing in the second half alone.

Jacksboro’s defense got key plays down the stretch, Kade Dennis making a stop on fourth down to force a turnover on downs. Christian Wiggins and English coming through with stops which forced a field goal try … which English blocked late in the game. Laake also had a quarterback sack to force another turnover on downs.

Peaster took a 14-0 lead late in the first before Belcher and Mitchell hooked up the first time on a 15-yard TD toss with a minute and change gone in the second.

Kasey Ray Swan looks for running room after a first half kickoff. The Tigers won their second game Friday, Sept. 9 against Peaster.

Photo/Brian Smith