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Great first half enough for JM
High school football: Manassas Park at James Monroe
Date published: 9/29/2007
BY JUSTIN RICE James Monroe backup quarterback John Jackson came out on fire in the first half of his first varsity start under center. It's a good thing, because the Jackets needed every inch they earned to hang on in the second half last night against Manassas Park. Jackson completed his first eight passing attempts and JM jumped to a 28-0 lead at the break, but the Jackets had to hold on for a 28-12 nondistrict home win last night. "That's the best first half JM's played in a long time," Jackets coach Rich Serbay said. "We went in at the half and the kids were so upbeat, and then we came out and they just took it to us in the second half." After a first half when JM could do no wrong, the Jackets' offense stumbled in the second half--mostly by their own doing. JM (4-0) had 11 second-half penalties and just four first downs after the break. Johnson was 8-for-11 for 204 yards with three scores in the first two quarters, but the junior went 4-for-11 after the break. That opened the door for Manassas Park. The Cougars--held to minus-19 yards rushing in the first half--came alive in the third quarter. Quarterback Dominique Terrell had a 78-yard run that led to their first score, and he hit Cody Griffith to cut JM's lead to 28-12 with 2:37 left in the third. Penalties sabotaged JM's next drive, and Manassas Park went on the march. Terrell had 25 and 45-yard completions to Daniel Bigelow, and two JM penalties gave Manassas Park first-and-goal at the 6. But there, the Jackets made a stand. Jamal Smith threw Terrell for a loss on third down and Ross Browning swatted away a fourth-down pass to keep the Cougars out of the end zone. "It was just a great stop; the defense stuck together," Browning said. "We're a little down [about the second half], but we stuck in there and played tough." That JM had to cling to the lead late in the game was shocking, especially considering how the first half went.
Date published: 9/29/2007
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