Jacksonville FL- The official start of the regular season is upon us and two teams with new coaches started their seasons off tonight in very different fashions. Zachary Harbison leadd his Englewood Rams into the Tigers Den to face Andrew Jackson and Coach Chris Foye. Harbison assumed the Englewood job after a very successful coaching stint at Southside Middle School, leading them to a division title two years ago. Foye is a former Super 24 player for Jackson, a school where he returns as a head coach. It ended up being a great homecoming for Foye as his Tigers defeated Englewood 36-7.
Jackson jumped out early on Englewood when running back Fred Gaines scored on a short touchdown run to put Jackson up 7-0. On the drive Darnell Cummings had a big run to set up the score. This would be indicative of the night Englewood would have on Main Street.
Next Englewood would try to muster some offense but couldn’t get it going. For the most part thanks to the Tiger defense. Caleb Francis would secure an interception in the end-zone to prevent an Englewood first quarter score. Jackson would make them pay, as J’Nethen Jackson would bulldoze his way into the end-zone to give Jackson a 14-0 lead.
Englewood seemed to be back in the game on a big play on special teams. Englewood’s Tayshaun Solomon pulled a Desean Jackson returning a punt 79 yards but he needed 80yds, fumbling the ball at the 1-yard line for a TOUCHBACK!
A mixture of defense and mistakes doomed Englewood. Richard Garrett sacked Englewood quarterback Disean Hires for a safety making the score 16-0. Two more interceptions by Jackson’s Brian Hooks and Grayson Howard kept Englewood at bay. Howard’s electrifying return for a touchdown was negated by a block in the back. Nonetheless Jackson still controlled the lead.
Quarterback Jalen Sonnier and wide receiver Ricky Shaw finished off the night with two connections for touchdowns. A 25-yard touchdown pass to the corner of the endzone and a 16-yard catch and run for a score, ushering in the win and a new era for the main street football.
Next Up :
Episcopal (0-0) at Englewood (0-1) 9/18
Jackson(1-0) at Westside (0-0) 9/18
