Jordan's defense holds on for a tackle.
Aug 30, 2008
Jordan was the favorite headed into Friday night's game against Green Hope, but before the game can be put into the win column for Jordan, they have to play the game.
Green Hope's first drive stalled, but in an effort to get some momentum early, Green Hope faked a punt on their own 37 yard line, but Sidney Harris couldn't get to the down marker. In fact, Harris lost two-yards.
Jordan took over on downs, and on first play Phillip Love connected with Demario Lewis for a 35-yard touchdown pass.
Green Hope's offense was never able to play at a consistent level on Friday. After a positive gain of seven-yards on the ground by Bryce Palmer, Green Hope quarterback Kameron Bryant was sacked for a loss of eight, and a false start penalty pushed the Falcons back five more yards. Suddenly, Green Hope found themselves on their own 14 yard line.
On the same drive, Green Hope lost their second key offensive player of the season. Jake Trimble went out with an apparent knee injury, and he left the field on crutches.
After a Green Hope punt, Jordan took just four plays to find the end zone again. After Love connected with Rhodes for a 37-yard reception, Torrance Hunt took the pitch to the left side for the three-yard touchdown.
Jordan led 14-0 just six minutes into the first quarter.
T.J. Thorpe added to the developing blowout when he returned a Green Hope punt 55-yards for a score with just 3:24 left in the first quarter, and with Steven Yun's successful point-after, Jordan led 21-0.
Green Hope finally struck in the second quarter with 9:07 left. Bryant found senior Matt Burke for the 28-yard touchdown catch. Hunter Hitchings added the point after for the Falcons, and Green Hope cut the Jordan lead to 14.
It wouldn't last long, though. Jordan took the kick off back to the Green Hope 42 yard line.
Mario Butler ran up the middle from the 35 to the Jordan 20, but he fumbled as he was hit by a defender. Jordan recovered the ball to take over on their own 20.
Green Hope senior Ryan Mahoney blocked the Jordan punt at the Jordan 20 yard line, and Green Hope recovered on the 22. After an 8-yard catch by Jacob McDougall and a 9-yard run by Harris, Harris fumbled the ball on the Jordan 8 yard line and Jordan recovered their second fumble of the game.
Jordan had a commanding 28-7 lead at the break.
On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Jordan's Love pitched the ball to Rhodes who threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Luis Glean.
Jordan went up 35-7, and they weren't done yet.
After forcing the Green Hope offense to punt the ball back, Jordan's Rhodes took it 56-yards on the ground for a touchdown on the first play of the series, pushing the lead to 42-7.
With 5:21 left in the third quarter, Yun added a field goal to give Jordan the 45-7 advantage.
Green Hope got another positive play from Mahoney with 1:44 left in the quarter. The senior jumped on a fumbled snap, giving Green Hope good field position.
With 7:22 left in the final quarter of play, Green Hope's Bryant connected with Tyler Whitehead for a 3-yard touchdown pass after a long drive by the Falcons' offense.
With more points finally on the board for Green Hope, they found themselves trailing 45-14.
Green Hope got a 41-yard punt return from Alex Yozzi with just under three minutes remaining in the ball game, giving Green Hope another chance to score from the Jordan 27 yard line.
Again, the Green Hope offense had trouble advancing. Hitchings attempted a long field goal but was short, and the Jordan Falcons down the Green Hope Falcons 45-14.
Even with the large margin of victory, Jordan coach Mike Briggs was not totally satisfied.
"There were times in the second quarter where we looked lackadaisical," Briggs said. "In my opinion it should of been about a 28-21 at half time. They had two turnovers that I thought they were going to score on."
Jordan turned up the head immediately in the second half, but still, Briggs says they can do better.
"We still made too many mistakes [in the second half], especially on special teams," he said.
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