Jaguars dominate Madison County 23-3 to begin 2018

Last Friday August 17 the Cedar Shoals Jaguars football team defeated the Madison County Red Raiders 23-3. The Cedar Shoals defense, led by junior Jalen Jackson with a team leading  nine tackles, showed promise, holding the Red Raiders to only a field goal.

“We play well on defense, had a lot of forced turnovers, and had a lot of tackles for losses. We executed the game plan very well on defense,” said Head Coach Leroy Ryals.

The game started off with safety and a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Senior Dre Ingram. Junior Jaylan Rusher picked up his first interception of the year as well.

Offensively, the Jaguars won the game on the ground, controlling the clock. Starting quarterback senior Kiyonnice Smith went 2-6 with 37 yards and 2 interceptions, however, leaving the Jags with room for improvement offensively.

Senior running sacks Osiris Walker and Devontaye Bankston scored a touchdown each. Walker rushed 16 times for 120 yards and Bankston rushed 13 times for 78 yards.

With the Winder-Barrow coming up the team can still work to be done.

“I think our passing game has to come on a little bit and so we can stay balanced on offense,” said Ryals.

“We can always improve on staying together. We just need to get better on offense and we can get better on defense,” said Smith

“I’ve been practicing and getting more reps and more passing drills. In my free time I’m not sitting around and just around,” said Smith, hoping to bounce back next week against the Winder-Barrow Bulldoggs.