After last week’s 14-7 home loss to Bay High, North Pike coach Chris Smith said the loss was one that could pay off as an eye-opener that could grab his team’s attention.
“That may have been the hammer that woke us up,” Smith said.
His hopes were answered Friday, as the North Pike offense racked up 430 yards and defense pitched its first shutout of the season in a 40-0 road win at East Central.
“We feel like we came back and played hard tonight. We were a lot more focused,” Smith said. “We didn’t make nearly as many mental mistakes as last week, and it shows in the final total. They were definitely a different ball team last night”
The most surprising element of the contest was the Jaguars’ ground game.
North Pike is not known as a power-running team. However, the Jaguars pounded the ball on the ground to the tune of 313 yards.
For instance, with 7:45 remaining in the third quarter and a 27-0 lead, the Jaguars’ embarked on a 20-play drive capped by a 2-yard Jermon Jordan touchdown run.
The drive covered 77 yards and chewed 8:39 off the game clock.
“That was a big drive for us,” Smith said. “At that drive, (offensive line) coach (Brinson) Wall challenged the offensive line. We basically ran off-tackle right or off-tackle left.”
And with the exception of a 30-yard pass play on the Hornets’ opening drive of the game, the Jaguar defense kept the Hornet offense at bay.
The Jaguars sacked East Central quarterback Ryne Long four times, causing Long to spend most of the night running for his life.
“The defense is playing better every Friday night,” Smith said.
Revis Butler scored North Pike’s first points on the Jaguars’ opening possession. His 10-yard run capped a seven-play 63-yard drive.
The Jaguars didn’t score again in the quarter but lit up the scoreboard in the second period, finding the end zone three times.
Tra’Vez Taylor made it 14-0 on a 2-yard touchdown run to cap a six-play, 61-yard drive. He also scored ran for the two-point conversion.
Running back Jalen Adams opened the Jaguars’ next drive with a 29-yard dash to put the Jaguars in Hornet territory. Four plays later, Butler connected with wide receiver Tonnie Collins for a 31-yard touchdown to make it 21-0.
The Jaguars then capitalized on a Marcus Guyton fumble recovered by linebacker Vernon Butler at the East Central 9-yard line.
Four plays later, Jermerick Jordan scored on a 1-yard plunge to push the advantage out to 27-0 before the half.
Running back Laronte Lee capped the Jaguars’ scoring with an exclamation point, reaching the end zone on a 68-yard run.
