The J.Z. George football program is headed in the right direction despite dropping a 56-12 decision to Charleston in the second round of the North 2A playoffs last Friday night in Charleston.
“We still had a successful season and made it to the second round two years in a row,” said Jaguar head coach Rusty Smith. “I’m proud of our players and coaches on the winning season. We plan to keep building the program.
“Charleston was a really good team. We made too many mistakes early and took ourselves out of the game. If the season is over and we are not holding that Gold ball, then we didn’t reach our goal.”
The Jaguars went 6-6 in Smith’s first season in 2020, losing to East Union 30-28 in the second round. They finished 7-5 this season. J.Z. George was second to Leflore County in Region 4 with a 3-1 mark. The Jags opened the playoffs with a 44-22 win over Belmont.
Charleston outgained J.Z. George 366-145 in total yardage. The Tigers ran 57 total plays, rushing 52 times for 342 yards. The only pass they completed went for a touchdown. The Jaguars ran 38 plays, gaining 120 yards on 22 carries. In the passing department, the Jags were just 7-of-16 for 25 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown.
One thing that hurt the Jaguars was turnovers. They had four fumbles, losing all four, and the two interceptions. Charleston had just one turnover. The Tigers also had 22 first downs to J.Z. George’s nine.
Charleston led 22-0 after the first period as they got a touchdown run and pass from quarterback Rodriguez O’Bannon. He scored from three yards out and threw an 11-yard pass to Terrence Marco. O’Bannon and Markevious Prince both had two-point conversions. Corterrius Johnson had a three-yard run to finish out the scoring in the first quarter.
Charleston blew the game open with a 20-6 run in the second period. Prince scored on runs 15 and 19 yards, and Johnson had a 20-yard run. Quinterrius Suggs had a two-point conversion.
The Jaguars got on the scoreboard when senior D’Anthony McGlothan ran in from 19 yards out. The try for two failed, making it 42-6 at the half.
In the third frame, the Jaguars made it 42-12 with a 10-yard TD pass from senior quarterback Jordun Normal to senior running back Kendarius Head.
Charleston tacked on two more touchdowns in the fourth frame as Marcus Flower scored from 16 yards out, and Hernando Edwards ran in from five yards out.
McGlothan finished with 38 yards on four carries and four catches for nine yards. Head had 28 yards on nine carries and two receptions for 10 yards. Normal was 7-of-16 for 25 yards with two interceptions and a touchdown. Jakolbie Cobbins had 35 yards on four carries.
McGlothan led the defense with six solo tackles and two assists, and Keiyhaun Wilks had four tackles and five assists. Alan Busby had three tackles and four assists, and Jorden Cobbins had four tackles and an assist. Ja’Darius Fluker had three solos stops, one assist and two quarterback sacks, James Journey had two tackles and two assists. Brandon McKenzie had three tackles and a fumble recovery.
