Jackson improves to 2-0 with Hillcrest win

William Taylor runs through the open field against Hillcrest-Evergreen last Friday night. Photo by Chris Sherman JACKSON—The Jackson High School Aggies used an opportunistic offense to beat the Hillcrest Evergreen Jaguars 26-18 here last Friday night to improve their record to 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in the region.

The Aggie offense made the most of a pair of Evergreen fumbles.

The first fumble recovery by Sam Harbuck gave Jackson the ball at their own 22-yard line.

It took six plays to cover the 78-yards to paydirt.

Corey Besteda, playing quarterback, called his own number and scored on a 24-yard sprint.

The kick failed, but JHS had a 6-0 lead with 6:23 left in the first quarter.

In the scoring drive, the Aggies converted a third-and-16-yards to go with a big toss from Wesley Harris to tight end Tony Ivory that covered 37-yards.

The Jaguars responded with a 59-yard scoring run. Their attempt also failed, knotting the game at 6-6 with 3:31 to go in the opening stanza.

The touchdown rallied the home-standing Aggies as it took just three plays to find the endzone on the ensuing possession.

Facing third down with 14- yards to go near midfield, Harris tossed a short pass to William Taylor. The senior speedster took the pigskin and raced 54-yards for the touchdown.

J.D. Mitchell came on and booted the point-after touchdown try, giving Jackson a 13-6 lead.

Early in the second quarter the Aggies again benefited from a turnover after Tyrell Kinder fell on a Jaguar fumble at the JHS 21- yard line.

After a pair of Tony Ivory runs, Isaiah Boykin found a seam in the Hillcrest-Evergreen defense and raced 52-yards for the touchdown.

The kick from Mitchell was good and Jackson had a 20-6 lead with 9:38 to go before the break.

Just before halftime Jackson found the endzone again.

The scoring possession was set up after the defense forced a punt that rolled into the endzone, giving the offense the ball at the 20-yard line.

The Aggies had a 35-yard scoring run called back by a chopblock penalty, moving the ball to midfield.

On third down Harris tossed a screen pass to Besteda. The senior wideout broke four tackles and raced the distance for the touchdown.

The attempt was wide, but Jackson had a 26-6 lead with 1:02 left in the second quarter.

The Aggies got one chance at scoring when Josh Kimbell recovered a Jaguar fumble at the Evergreen 27-yard line.

Besteda carried the ball down to the 3-yard line but the drive ended when a third-down pass fell short and time expired.

In the third quarter Hillcrest- Evergreen cut into the lead on a double pass, making it 26-12.

In the fourth quarter they pulled within one touchdown with a score late, making the final score 26-18.

This Friday the Aggies put their perfect record on the line when they travel to Grove Hill this Friday when they take on Clarke County in a huge region game as well as a rivalry game that dates back to 1918.

Game time is 7 p.m. at H.G. Prim Stadium.