Smith leads Jaguars to stomp the Wolfpack in 35-9 comeback

Last Friday, the Cedar Shoals Jaguars traveled to Evans, GA to play the Greenbrier Wolfpack. The Jaguar took down the Wolfpack with a final score of 35-9 with 29 unanswered second half points.

Neither team mounted much offense in the first half with the Wolfpack leading 9-6 at halftime. The Wolfpack scored a touchdown with a missed the PAT followed by a field goal. Cedar scored a rushing touchdown by senior Osiris Walker and missed the extra point.

But in the second half, quarterback Kiyonnice Smith had three passing touchdowns and rushed for a two point conversion.

“The speech that coach gave at half time, Coach Ryals is just the ultimate motivator, and I told the team that I have their back and I was just playing sloppy. I told the team that I’ll make them proud,” said Smith.

Coming out in the third quarter Cedar held Greenbrier to a three-and-out, and Jamal Boyd blocked the punt to set up a 15-yard touchdown run by Walker to give Cedar a 15-9 lead. From there, Smith took over.

Cedar’s special teams recovered another blocked punt leading to a five-yard touchdown pass from Smith to junior wide receiver Rickil Willingham.

The Jaguar dominance continued in the 4th quarter with two more scores.  Smith’s passing game continued to shine with a 59-yard touchdown pass to junior Jaylen Rusher. Smith then connected with senior Devontaye Bankston on a 22 yard touchdown pass before the 35-9 final score.

The Jaguar defense refused to  allow the Wolfpack to venture into scoring position in the second half.  

“We just played a little better. We got some fortunate blocks. It all started in the kicking game. Jamal Boyd blocked the punt that kinda changed momentum real quick,” said Head Coach Leroy Ryals.

Cedar moves to  2-1 on the season entering the current bye week before a homecoming matchup at Waters-Wilkins Stadium against the Oconee County Warriors.

Cedar is currently tied in a five way tie for first place in Region eight with Buford, Johnson, Clarke Central, and Loganville. Led by an experienced group of seniors on offense, Jaguars stand out in Region 8-AAAAA offensive statistics.

Smith is second in the region in passing with 353 yards, five touchdowns, and four interceptions. Walker leads the region in rushing with 288 yards, and backfield teammate Bankston is 5th with 128 rushing yards.

Bankston has become a dual threat out of the backfield, currently second in the region in receiving with 104 yards mainly off screen passes. Rusher has hauled in 98 yards and Willingham has 95. .

Cedar’s first region matchup comes against Clarke Central on September 28 at Death Valley.