ATHENS, Ga. — Jackson County used a punishing ground game and a stingy defense to make history on Friday.
The Panthers got 134 yards and three touchdowns from Daylan Maxwell to lead a 245-yard rushing effort in taking a dominating 64-14 win over Clarke Central in both teams' Region 8-5A opener at Billy Henderson Stadium.
"If you'd have told me it was going to be this, I'd have told you, you're crazy," Panther coach Korey Mobbs said on WDUN's Hardy Chevrolet Scoreboard Show. "But it's a testament to our kids, who have really prepared and continue to build, not caring who gets the credit. And you know, we had things go our way, obviously in the first half, but it felt like we made those things happen as well. So definitely a good night to be a Panther."
It was the first-ever win for Jackson County (4-1, 1-0 Region 8-5A) over the Gladiators (1-4, 0-1 Region 8-5A), who came in with an all-time 9-0 record over the Panthers.
Jackson County made sure the streak would not continue. They jumped out to a 23-0 lead after the first quarter and took a 51-0 lead into the half. A running clock was used in the fourth quarter.
Jayson Lee had 46 yards and scored twice, and Demarcus Meadows added 42 yards and one touchdown for the Panthers, who had 7 rushing touchdowns on the night. Kaleb Clark had 23 yards and a score on the ground for Jackson County.
Senior quarterback RJ Knapp III was 7-of-8 for 85 yards passing and added another 31 on the ground for Jackson County. Junior QB Samuel Maxey was 6-for-8 for 46 yards and 1 TD passing. Landon Jones had 2 catches for 41 yards, and Maddox Griswold had 3 catches for 22 yards and 1 TD receiving. Chase Chandler caught 3 passes for 18 yard,s and Robert Spry had 2 catches for 30 yards for the Panthers.
Jackson County will head to Alcovy (0-5, 0-1Region 8-5A) next Thursday in Region 8-5A action.
