Jackets Handle Battlefield Opener With Ease

Running back Ethan Preston trotted off the field, confident that his 80-yard touchdown run had just put the game on ice. In fact, with the game well in hand, he would be used sparingly from there on out, as the Yellow Jackets’ second-team offense ran out the clock. This scenario sounds completely normal, except for one hitch: It was still the first quarter!

Preston's 80-yard scamper had given JM a thirty-five point lead with 2:22 remaining in the first quarter, rendering the outcome a foregone conclusion before some patrons had taken to their seats.

Many teams would be perfectly content to score 54 points in two games; hosting Eastern View Monday night at Maury Stadium it took James Monroe a measly 23 minutes.

"This was a complete first half,” remarked Yellow Jackets’ head coach Rich Serbay after the game adding, "It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen in thirty years of coaching.”

A’Darius Brown and Robert Lawrence had scoring runs for JM, and Kasine Conway hauled in a 14-yard strike from Demontaz Brown midway through the first quarter. A. Brown made perhaps the most athletic play of the evening, juking and spinning his way to an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 3:28 to play in the half.

As in every game so far this season, second-team reserves took the field for JM following halftime. If they hadn't, the final tally of 61-6 could've been much worse.

The lone score of the second half came courtesy of a pick six by junior linebacker Brad Davis. Davis broke on the ball, made the interception, and took off 49 yards for the touchdown.

As the final few seconds ticked off the clock, the merciful tweet-tweet of the whistle signaled the end of the game and marked another dominating 60+ point effort for James Monroe. While the Yellow Jackets appear poised for a run at an undefeated season, Preston knows overconfidence can be a killer.

"We can’t take any game easy,” said the senior captain, who found the end zone four times Monday. "We’re looking great, but we still need to take it step-by-step.”

The Yellow Jackets (4-0, 1-0 Battlefield) will travel to King George for a Battlefield District contest this Friday, Sept. 30. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

JM- E. Preston 49 Run (Dit Kick) 10:21

JM- K. Conway 14 Pass from D. Brown (Dit Kick) 7:52

JM- E. Preston 12 Run (Dit Kick) 6:46

JM- A. Brown 36 Run (Dit Kick) 6:30

JM- E. Preston 80 Run (Dit Kick) 2:22

Second Quarter

JM- R. Lawrence 5 Run (Dit Kick) 4:47

EV- M. Washington 54 Pass from Pendleton (Kick Failed) 3:45

JM- A. Brown 86 kickoff return (Kick Failed) 3:28

JM- E. Preston 20 yard run (Kick Failed) :50 

Third Quarter

N/A

Fourth Quarter

Brad Davis 48-yard interception return (Bumbrey Kick) 6:31