JEFFERSON — It's been some time since Jackson County football was 3-0 -- it's also been some time since the Panthers owned a rushing attack like the one they currently possess.
Thanks to a dominant offensive line and Noah Venable, Jackson County now has both.
Venable rushed for 269 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers rolled over Lumpkin County 35-7 on Friday to give Jackson County its first three-game win streak to start a season since the 2009 campaign.
Venable scored on a pair of 1-yard first half touchdown plunges for a 14-7 lead at the interval.
It was all Panthers from there, as Grey Akins and Venable combined to add three more scores in the second half. Akins made it 21-7 on a touchdown run in the third quarter before Venable added a nine-yard scoring jaunt. Akins finished with a flourish, turning a busted field goal attempt into a touchdown when, as the holder on the botched kick, he whirled away and connected with Seth Caylor on a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Luke Smith scored on a three-yard run for the Indians (0-2) in the second quarter.
Lumpkin will look to get things rolling next week when it plays host to Madison County.
Jackson County travels to take on West Hall next week.
