Story and photo by Cinthia Rico
North Jackson captured its first win of the season with a 21-14 victory over St. John Paull II last Thursday night at R.D. Hicks Stadium in Stevenson.
The Chief got the ball rolling on their first possession as they took over at the 49-yard line, with Nick Jernagin on the carry rushing for a 21-yard TD at the 9:11 mark. The point after kick was blocked.
In their next drive, the Falcons took over at the 49, North Jackson’s Cashon Smith sacked St. John Paull II quarterback Paul Andrzejewski, and the Falcons were unable to break through the Chiefs’ defense.
North Jackson regained possession and took over at the 20. Two plays later, the Chiefs fumble was recovered by the falcons.
On the Falcons’ next play, Jernagin sacked Andrzejewski and was unable to capitalize on the play.
Nicholas Price caught a 10-yard pass as the Chiefs continued to push. At the end of the first, North Jackson led 6-0.
In the second quarter, Holt brought the ball out 10 yards for a North Jackson first down, followed by a series of flags on the play and the Falcons took over with no score.
A few plays later, Andrzejewski found Payton Harris for a first down. Andrzejewski rushed up the right side for a Falcon 10-yard touchdown at the 2:41 mark. A Steven Taylor’s PAT cut the score 7-6 as St. Paul took the lead.
At intermission, the Falcons led 7-6. Despite a rocky first half, the Chiefs found their footing in the second as Holt rushed 28 and 16 yards before he ran from the 14-yard line breaking free for a 7-yard touchdown run with 2:02 left of the third quarter, adding a successful 2-point conversion lifting the Chief to 14-7.
North Jackson extended their lead 21-7 seconds into the fourth quarter with Jernigan’s 14-yard touchdown run and Wesley Payton’s point after.
CJ Smith and Nick Jernigan sacked Paul Andrezejwekis ending the Falcons’ chance at a comeback with less than two minutes left in the fourth as North Jackson defended their home field with a 21-14 win.
North Jackson finished with 349 total yards, 18 passing yards, and 331 rushing yards.
Holt led the offense with 220 rushing yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. Jernigan scored two touchdowns and tallied 116 rushing yards on 15 attempts.
St. John Paul II finished with 259 total yards.
North Jackson travels to state-line rival South Pittsburg (Tenn.) Friday night for their second meet ever.
The two teams delivered a crowd-roaring matchup last year, South Pittsburg edged the Chiefs 21-20.
