J.Z. George was down 20-6 heading into halftime during Friday night’s playoff opener in North Carrollton, and the Jaguars stormed back to beat Coahoma County 28-26.
“We had so many out with the flu, and we’ve been fighting that all week and they went out there and played the best they could,” Jaguar head coach Rusty Smith said. “Its just been a crazy week and we handled it well. I’m just so proud of them.”
Coahoma struck first in Friday’s contest off a touchdown pass with 3:41 left in the first. On their next drive, the Red Panthers scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown, and J.Z. George responded with a touchdown pass from quarterback JT Mann to receiver Keiyhaun Wilks — giving the Jags’ offense some life. Four drives later, Mann’s pass was intercepted for six in the middle of the second quarter.
After halftime, J.Z. George came out with a fiery intensity and its defense began to stack consecutive stops. The Jags got the ball in the middle of the third and drove it to Coahoma’s 7-yard line. Mann then found Wilks once again for a touchdown pass, bringing the score to 20-14.
J.Z. George’s defense forced a four-and-out on the Red Panthers’ next drive, giving the Jags the ball on its own 25 yard-line, where Jakolbie Cobbins broke free for a 72-yard run. Jaydon James capped the electric drive with a rushing touchdown, and Shamarion Applewhite ran in after to give the Jags a two-point lead, 22-20.
Coahoma scored a rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but the Jags responded two drives later with a touchdown run by Cobbins with 6:05 left in the game. J.Z. George went for two and couldn’t convert, but its defense held the Red Panthers scoreless the rest of the game.
After winning on Friday, the Jags are headed to the second round of the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Mann threw for 94 yards on 10-of-16 passing with two touchdowns. Wilks led receivers with two receptions for 40 yards and two touchdowns. Cobbins led in rushing with 157 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown.
Applewhite had two 2-point conversions, and Jeremy Rias led the defense with 13 tackles. Rodney Catron chipped in three tackles and two interceptions.
The Jags will play at Eupora High School next week in the second round.
-Contact Jared Conerly at 662-581-7237 or jconerly@gwcommonwealth.com.
