JORDAN WINS BIG TIME!

27--7

100 Years of Football Game

September 5, 2008

 

(Story & Some Pictures from Columbus Ledger-Enquirer--Saturday, September 6, 2008)

 

Jordan running back Dontavis Crocker carried not only the 2008 Red Jackets on his slight shoulders Friday night. The slender runner also brought several generations along for the ride during Jordan's 27-7 victory over historic rival Columbus High.
 

A large and enthusiastic crowd filed into A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium hours before kickoff to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the storied rivalry. The significance of the milestone wasn't lost on Crocker.  "It was such a big game," said an ecstatic Crocker after joining his teammates in a victory lap before the exuberant Jordan fans. "I was happy to see all the older people come tonight. It was a big win for our  team."  Crocker, generously listed at 5-foot-9, had a hand in three of the four Jordan touchdowns, rushing for two and catching one touchdown pass.

With quarterback Safari Evans' arm and Crocker's legs, the Jackets utilized a balance offensive attack, which was fine with Crocker.  "We like to mix it up," he said. "I'm up for whatever the coaches want me to do."  Columbus High's game plan certainly didn't include a whopping six turnovers, five in the first half. The Blue Devils lost five fumbles and had one pass intercepted.

 

"The turnovers were definitely big," Crocker said. "We needed every one that we got."  Two Devil turnovers led to a pair of Jordan touchdowns. Jordan's Cody Wojciechowski attempted a 33-yard field goal in a scoreless first quarter which sailed wide to the right. On Columbus' second play from scrimmage, a botched handoff gave the ball right back to Jordan.

The Jackets went 26 yards in two plays for their first score.  Wojciechowski's kick was blocked and Jordan led 6-0.  The Devils couldn't manage a first down on their ensuing possession and punted the ball to the Jackets. Again it took only two plays for Jordan to reach the end zone, one of which was the 62-yard pass. Jordan's lead was 14-0.  On the first play from scrimmage another fumble put the Jackets in business at the Columbus 29. The scoring drive took seven plays, ending with Crocker's 1-yard plunge.  After the only Devil touchdown, Jordan's lead was only 14 points at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Jackets put the game out of reach with Crocker's 21-yard scoring run only 26 seconds into the final quarter.