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.
James Monroe starting quarterback DeVontae Atkins was in street clothes last night because of a violation of team rules. So Jackson got the start. Last year, the junior was the starter for the Jackets' JV team, but he has been a receiver most of this season for the varsity team.
Last night, he was thrust into the spotlight.
"He was nervous," said JM receiver Delonte Fleming, who caught eight passes for 127 yards and two second-quarter touchdowns. "Once we found out DeVontae couldn't play, a lot of people were doubting him. But I played with him last year; I already knew he could do his thing."
Jackson admitted he was nervous, but on his first pass play, he hit P.J. Hayden on a short slant pattern that Hayden turned into a 59-yard gain.
Jackson's confidence soared.
"My teammates were behind me; they said 'You can do this,'" Jackson said. "I threw that first slant to P.J. and I just got hyped. I felt unstoppable."
Hayden's long catch led to a short scoring run by Smith. And it ignited the Jackets' offense.
Jackson had a 13-yard scoring pass to Fleming and a 27-yard touchdown strike to Hayden, sandwiched around a perfect 73-yard pump-and-go to Fleming.
"It was a little shaky, but we kept it together," said JM defender Andrew Carter, who had three first-half sacks. "We won; we're 4-0; you can't be mad about that."
Manassas Park | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | -- | 12 |
James Monroe | 7 | 21 | 0 | 0 | -- | 28 |
First Quarter
JM--J. Smith 1-yard run (R. Davis kick).
Second Quarter
JM--D. Fleming 13-yard pass from J. Jackson (R. Davis kick).
JM--D. Fleming 73-yard pass from J. Jackson (R. Davis kick).
JM--P. Hayden 27-yard pass from J. Jackson (R. Davis kick).
Third Quarter
MP--D. Terrell 1-yard run (kick failed).
MP--C. Griffith 11-yard pass from D. Terrell (pass failed).
TEAMSTATISTICS
MP | JM |
First downs15 | 14 |
Rushing yardage23-105 | 32-106 |
Passing yardage206 | 230 |
Passes15-30-0 | 14-24-1 |
Punts-Avg.3-34.3 | 4-26.3 |
Fumbles-lost5-2 | 3-1 |
Penalties-yards 6-40 | 14-121 |
INDIVIDUALSTATISTICS
Rushing: James Monroe--Jamel Brooks 18-104; P.J. Hayden 6-39; Jamal Smith 2-7, TD; Delonte Fleming 1-(-7); Andy Johns 1-(-15); John Jackson 4-(-22). Manassas Park--Dominique Terrell 18-68, TD; Mike Mehus 5-37.Passing: James Monroe--John Jackson 12-22-1 228, 3TDs; P.J. Hayden 2-2-0 2. Manassas Park--Dominique Terrell 15-30-0 206, TD.
Receiving: James Monroe--Delonte Fleming 8-127, 2TDs; P.J. Hayden 5-103, TD; Zhavelle Roberts 1-0. Manassas Park--Daniel Bigelow 3-82; Cody Griffith 5-59, TD; Brandon Livingston 6-51; Mike Mehus 1-7.
Justin Rice: 540/368-5045| MANASSAS PARK 12JAMES MONROE 28 |