By JOSEPH ODOM
News Sports Writer
This past Friday night, Oct. 19, J.U. Blacksher High School’s football team did not perform up to the standards set by their win against Chickasaw.
Blacksher started last week’s game kicking off to the Leroy Bears, who scored only 7 plays into the game putting Blacksher behind 7 points while only taking 2 1/2 minutes off the play clock.
Blacksher started a drive but couldn’t complete it turning the ball back over to Leroy after only 4 plays. Leroy was able to score again after only 9 plays making the score 0-14 with 3:24 left in the first.
Blacksher started the second quarter with the ball and after a hard fought 16-play drive was able to finally score putting their first 8 points on the board. The touchdown was scored by #18 linebacker and running back junior Tucker Spence. The touchdown was followed by a successful 2-point conversion by #2 defensive back and quarterback sophomore K.D. Rabb making the score 8-14 with 6:44 left in the half.
Blacksher’s defense was able to hold up and force a turnover on Leroy’s next possession but Blacksher fumbled the ball and lost it back to Leroy on their first play. Leroy scored 1 play after the turnover making the score 8-21 with 4:19 left in the half. Blacksher refused to end the half in such a bad way scoring on a 13-yard run by Rabb, making the score 14-21 going into halftime.
Blacksher started the second half with the ball but lost it on a fumble 8 plays into their first drive. Leroy widened the deficit after a 10-play drive by kicking a field goal making the score 14-24 with 4:41 left in the third. Both teams fought for possession for the rest of the quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter, Blacksher held the ball but punted the ball away after 2 plays. The struggle for possession continued late into the fourth quarter with Leroy finally kicking a field goal making the score 14-27 with 2:21 left in the game. Blacksher was unable to score and turned the ball over for the last time with 1:29 left in the game. Leroy kneeled the rest of the time off the clock ending the game.
Defensively Blacksher gave up 140 yards rushing and 122 yards passing for a total of 262 yards lost to Leroy. Offensively Blacksher was able to get 151 rushing yards and 116 passing yards. The team was led by Rabb in rushing yards who had a total of 104 yards. Blacksher totaled 267 yards offensively.
“Overall I was pleased with our effort,” Head Coach Wes Sims said. “We played well most of the night, but mental errors and turnovers hurt us against a very good Leroy team. We have to play a clean game this week against R. C. Hatch.”
Blacksher’s next game is away at R.C. Hatch, Uniontown, Ala., at 7 pm.