By By Steve Swogetinsky/special to The Star
October 5, 2002
QUITMAN The West Jones Mustangs took advantage of Quitman turnovers here Friday night as they upped their record to 6-0 with a 21-7 victory over the Panthers in prep football action.
The Mustangs finished the game with 211 total yards. West Jones rushed for 143 yards and completed four of 13 passing attempts for 68 markers. Quitman, now 2-4 on the season, rushed for 67 yards on 26 carries, and passed for 91 was as the Panthers finished the night with 158 yards.
Justin Young, who led the Mustangs in rushing with 101 yards on 18 carries, scored the first points of the night. After a scoreless first quarter, West Jones pinned the Panthers down on their own six yard line. Quitman fumbled the ball away on first down and Danny Jones recovered the set the Mustangs up on the QHS 12-yard line. Young picked up four yards on first down, and then took it the rest of the way on a run around the left end. Britt Barefoot booted the extra point and West Jones led 7-0 with 5:36 left in the half.
It appeared that the Mustangs were going to strike again in the second quarter as Jones recovered a QHS fumble on the Panthers' seven-yard line with less than 10 seconds remaining.
West Jones lined up for a field goal on first down, but it was a fake and pass to the endzone went incomplete. The Mustangs then lined up for a field goal again, but it was no good and time expired.
The Panthers' misfortunes continued in the third quarter. After taking the kickoff, Quitman fumbled on first down and Bruce Ducksworth recovered for the Mustangs on the QHS 18
Young ran four straight plays for gains of seven, four, four and zero as the Mustangs moved the ball down to the QHS three. On the next play, Archie Sims rammed his way into the endzone for the touchdown. Barefoot's kick was true and West Jones led 14-0 with 8:48 left in the third quarter.
Quitman took the ensuing kickoff. On third down, a pass from Jonathan Russell reached his received about the same time as a West Jones defender. The ball was deflected and Jones intercepted it on the Panthers 22. Jones then ran the ball back for a touchdown. Barefoot's kick was true and the Mustangs led 21-0.
The Panthers' offense finally got on track. Russell found Breland Clark in the middle of the field with a pass, and he raced to the endzone for a 72-yard pass play. Russell kicked the extra point and Quitman trailed 21-7 with three minutes left in the period.
Neither team would score again.
Both teams will be back in action next Friday night. West Jones hosts Magee while Quitman visits Florence.