MIDDLEBURG-After losing its starting quarterback Winston Sweeting to transfer, Westside coach Rodney Dubose was anxious to see what his replacement could do.
Rising junior Jalil Jackson delivered a solid performance in his Wolverines debut throwing one touchdown nearly two and running for over 100 yards as well.
Jalil Jackson new QB for Westside can burn you with legs and arm. pic.twitter.com/sSvoUJ8lDE
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
Dubose is littered with talent on both sides of the ball especially offense with several playmakers including rising senior wide receiver Nelson Pagan, senior tailback Standley Thomas, senior tailback Jahleal Williams an junior receiver Clarence Conyers.
Westside started the game at the 25 and methodically drove down the field aided by the running of Jackson and Williams, culminating with a 20 yard touchdown run by Williams which gave the Wolverines a 7-0 lead three minutes into the game.
However, just like it would nearly the whole game Middleburg answered as rising junior tailback Andrew Thomas helped the Broncos down the field with several long runs. Penalties by the Wolverines also aided the Broncos on the drive as well.
Thomas 25 yard touchdown run tied the game at 7-7 nearly two minutes after the Wolverines first score of the game.
The next big thing to come out of Middleburg rising junior tailback Andrew Thomas. pic.twitter.com/EaYaLRohnC
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
Westside answered back though as the Wolverines converted a remarkable fourth and long to extend its lead.
Faced with fourth and 20 from the 21, Jackson hit Pagan on a short pass on the left side and Pagan juked the lone defender on that side and walked in the rest of the way for a 14-7 lead with 9:07 left till halftime.
Westside RB/WR Nelson Pagan with two scores tonight to lead Wolverines. pic.twitter.com/wasL2NpkYJ
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
After forcing a turnover on downs on the next Broncos possession, the Wolverines extended to their lead.
Jackson hit a streaking Conyers down the left sideline and Conyers raced 67 yards untouched for an apparent touchdown setting the Wolverines fans up on their feet, however officials ruled two players delivered late hits during the play neglecting the score.
Clarence Conyers recovered a fumble and caught a 67 yard TD pass which was called back. Big time two-way player. pic.twitter.com/QD41lmE0rP
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
It didn’t matter though as two plays later, Williams took a toss sweep from Jackson cut right and then left down the Wolverines sideline and raced 66 yards untouched extending the lead to 21-7 with 8:46 left till half.
Jahleal Williams came up big for Wolverines with two touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/lbrxdMDlsO
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
In the closing seconds of the first half, the Broncos finally answered as quarterback Garrett Blanchard hit Kevin Littles on a fourth and eight play along with a facemask call on the Wolverines set up the Broncos at the 6-yard line.
With Thomas out of the game for a breather, the Broncos gave the ball to fullback Kodi Carrington who bulldozed his way for the 2-yard touchdown cutting the lead to 21-14 with under a minute left till the half.
Middleburg huddled at half pic.twitter.com/hh0UhnehKV
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
Middleburg line huddled up pic.twitter.com/RiFtCkK35b
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
As the third quarter started, both coaches agreed to play their starters one drive each and then put in their backups and JV kids.
Middleburg started the third quarter with the ball and went back to Thomas on offense as Thomas picked up back-to-back 15 yard runs.
Blanchard dropped the ball on the handoff to the back, however Tyler Bryant was there to pick it up and pick up the first down at the 30-yard line.
Thomas carried the ball for runs of 7 and 8 to put the Broncos at the 15. An offside call on the Wolverines put them inside the 5 and Bryant 5 yard run tied the game at 21-21 with 7:16 left in the third quarter.
Westside had one final drive with its starters and it delivered to get the win as Thomas broke a 15 yard run to move them down to the 40.
Westside TB Standley Thomas another solid playmaker for Wolverines. pic.twitter.com/mxqnNUEouZ
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
Jackson followed with consecutive 18 yard runs to put the Wolverines inside the 14 yard line, including the latter on a busted play.
After a Wolverines penalty, which move them back to the 27-yard line, Jackson broke of another long run to put the Wolverines at the 8 yard line.
Pagan followed with a 8 yard sweep to put the Wolverines up 28-21 with 4:31 left in the third quarter.
As agreed upon, both teams took out their starters and put in their backups and JV players for the rest of the game.
Wolverines have speed but must polish a lot of things to be ready for gauntlet. pic.twitter.com/mhQiJe4hQR
— Corey Davis (@ByCoreyDavis) May 27, 2017
Westside has a lot of young but talented skill players but must polish the penalties and the defense as it gets ready for the gauntlet of district play that includes Bolles, Trinity, Ponte Vedra and Bishop Kenny.
Scoring Summary
First
W: Jahleal Williams 20 yard run (7-0)
M: Andrew Thomas 25 yard run (7-7)
W: Nelson Pagan 21 yard catch from Jalil Jackson (14-7)
Second
W: Jahleal Williams 60 yard run (21-7)
M: Kodi Carrington 1 yard run (21-14)
Third
M: Tyler Bryant 5 yard run (21-21)
W: Nelson Pagan 5 yard run (28-21)
