Jags push through in 4th Overtime to improve to 2-0 against Winder-Barrow

At Winder-Barrow High School last Friday, Cedar Shoals trailed the Bulldoggs 14-6 at halftime. The Jags didn’t look like themselves going into the half, but the Jaguars responded afterwards, outscoring the Bulldoggs 15-7 to send it to overtime.

“We definitely came out flat. We got there a little late. And we didn’t adjust to that schedule very well as far as getting ready to go. That first series they came down and gave it to us, and we didn’t respond well. So it took us about a half to really get our juices flowing,” Head Coach Leroy Ryals said.

In the fourth overtime, Winder-Barrow fumbled on the four-yard line and senior Tim Riden recovered to set up the winning score. Sophomore Jerdavian Colbert ran in a 15-yard touchdown to give the Jaguars a 49-43 win. Colbert ran the ball 36 times on 185 yards and three touchdowns.

Both teams traded blows going into the fourth overtime. In the 4th quarter the Bulldoggs seemed to be driving down the field to seal the victory. Senior Winder-Barrow quarterback Jhaydon Sullivan threw a pass into the endzone, and it was picked off by senior defensive-back Jaiden Williams. 

“It was a pretty big play because he actually came from the far hash mark to make that play. So it was really pretty impressive what he did,” Ryals said.

The key players for Cedar in overtime were Wiliams and senior wide receiver Rickil Willingham. Wiliams and Willingham totaled 157 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

“Jaiden and Rickil, they’ve been playing on varsity since they were freshmen. So they got a lot of game experience, which is invaluable. We expect them to do those things for us,” Ryals said.

In his second start at quarterback, senior Jaylan Rusher threw for 171 yards on 13-26 passes, also running 11 times for 74 yards.

“After halftime we just got a feel for the game. And we knew what we were supposed to do. You got confidence, and went out and did what we were supposed to do,” Rusher said.