Jackson County Improves To 5-0 Via Comeback Victory Over Smith County, 28-14

By Michael Lindsay

The Jackson County Blue Devils (5-0, 1-0) are off to their best start since 2014 as they defeated Smith County (1-4, 0-1) in comeback fashion on Friday, 28-14.

Jackson County trailed 14-7 at halftime before scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half en route to their first win over the Owls since 1995.

“I was a junior in high school,” said Jackson County head coach Sean Loftis. “It goes back to our leaders; these juniors and seniors are a different group and it showed in that second half. All we had to do was focus on us and take it drive by drive.”

Junior quarterback Colt Loftis led the way as he rushed for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns while going 7-13 for 86 yards through the air.

“He played big for us tonight,” said Loftis. “Defenses really flow heavy towards Braiden (Dodson) and we were able to hit some change ups and keep them honest on the back side.”

Dodson tacked on 109 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 26 carries.

Smith County struck first on the game’s opening drive as freshman Jostyn Antonio punched in a short touchdown to give the Owls a 7-0 lead with 6:48 left in the opening period.

Jackson County responded on the ensuing drive as Dodson powered in a two-yard touchdown run on the last play of the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7 entering the second.

A Daniel Bane kick return into Jackson County territory on the ensuing kickoff set up the Owls’ second touchdown as Antonio scored again, giving Smith County a 14-7 lead with 8:52 remaining until halftime.

Neither team found the end zone for the rest of the second quarter as the Owls took a 14-7 advantage into the break.

Jackson County tied the contest at 14-14 with 7:26 left in the third period as Dodson rushed in a touchdown from 15 yards out. The Blue Devils recovered a Smith County fumble on the ensuing possession to set up a Loftis 25-yard touchdown run, giving his team a 21-14 lead with 3:48 remaining.

Loftis put the game on ice midway through the fourth quarter as he punched in a quarterback keeper from 5 yards out to give Jackson County the 28-14 victory.

“We responded in the second half,” said coach Loftis. “Up front, our guys dominated the whole second half. We started doing what we’re coached to do and started leaning on them. This group wanted this and wanted to stay undefeated at home.”

Up next for Jackson County is a trip to defending Region 4-2A champion Gordonsville (4-1, 1-0) next Friday while Smith County hosts Trousdale County (2-3).