Jackets Escape Upset Bid

Photos provided by Kimmie McKinney Photography

Brownwood, TX —  The frustration from four turnovers and and a called back TD disappeared when Stephenville’s Trot Jordan found Caden Monk for a back-breaking 75 yard touchdown pass. The late score came with a little over a minute remaining. The defense would hold on and the Jackets would win the 86th playing of the rivalry over Brownwood, 28-24.

The game started like many of the blue and gold fans felt it would. Stephenville scored on the opening drive of the game with a TD grab by Pecos Tally to go up 7-0. The War Dog defense would force a three and out and then the offense was on the move again. It appeared the game was about to go 14-0 but a Brownwood interception in the red zone foiled that plan.  Little did Stephenville know, but the turnover bug was only getting started. The Jackets would have one more interception and two fumbles. The Lions would score 14 points off of the Jacket turnovers.

It seemed to be a very feast or famine night for the Jacket defense. More than half of Brownwood’s possessions ended with a three and out, but if the Lions ever got a first down on a drive, they were going to put points on the board. This included Brownwood taking the lead 24-21 with 1:29 remaining in the contest.

It appeared the Jackets were not going to need their late heroics after Zyler McClendon scored with a little over four minutes remaining. McClendon had a memorable night carrying the ball 35 times for 252 yards and two scores. But the 21-17 lead would not last as the Lions went on an 11 play, 68 yard drive to take that 24-21 lead.

Stephenville would finish with 443 yards of offense. 287 of that on the ground and 156 through the air. Caden Monk would finish with 98 yards receiving with the TD, Adan Jergins a catch for 24 yards, Pecos Tally a TD grab of 16 yards and Jhett Banuelos with a catch for four yards. Additionally to McClendon’s rushing, Trot Jordan had seven carries for 23 yards and Caleb Gleason with one carry for 12 yards.

Defensively, Jackson Richmond and David Smith would each get a sack. Cooper Rudd with the team lead of nine individual tackles while Carter VanZandt had the most total tackles with 12.

Stephenville moves to 2-0 and will come back to Art Briles stadium this Friday. The Jackets will host Lubbock Cooper. The 5A team is 0-2 with loses to Wolforth Frenship and Midland Greenwood. The game is scheduled to kick at 7pm.