Jackets Open District with Win; Skye Burris is Heart of Gold Recipient
Photos by Kimmie McKinney Photography
Stephenville, TX–The Jackets took care of business in the District 12 opener versus Lampasas, 35-14 on Friday night. While Stephenville held the Badgers at bay for most of the night, it was not the only story line. It was also the Heart of Gold game in which an individual with ties to the SISD is annually recognized and presented with locally raised funds to help with their challenges.
Last week the Jackets had the Bye Week. It didn’t mean the team or fan base wasn’t busy. The Jackets worked through their normal practice schedule and the community was prepping to rally behind Team Burris. Stephenville student Skye Burris is this year’s Heart of Gold recipient. Over the last two weeks the community purchased Heart of Gold T shirts with Team Burris on the back. The shirts are provided at cost each year by Barefoot Campus Outfitter. These funds combined with monies raised by the Yellow Pants Brigade and World Championship of Golf effort were presented to the Burris Family before the game. At the time of publication, the total donation was more than $21,000. As many locals say, “Its not like this in other places.”
After the presentation, the Jackets would go to work. Lampasas would take the ball first and after two plays would be in the Red Zone. An opportunistic Jacket War Dog defense would get a tip on a intended pass in the end zone and senior Xavier Gonzalez would snag the interception and the Badgers would be held off the scoreboard.
On the ensuing drive, Stephenville’s offense would crisply move the ball 80 yards for the first score. It culminated with a TD pass from Trot Jordan to Aden Jergins and Jackets led 7-0.
Lampasas would answer with a touchdown in the first quarter to tie it up at 7-7. From that point, Stephenville would flex and outscore the Badgers 21-0 heading into the 4th. Both team would score once more giving the final outcome. A critical moment did occur right before half. Lampasas would take their final timeout of the half after securing a first down deep in the Red Zone of Stephenville. However, on the next play, the Jackets would rally to tackle a Badger receiver short of the goal line and time would expire. It would keep the Stephenville lead at two touchdowns going into the intermission.
The Jackets would finish with 444 total yards. 291 would be through the air and 153 on the ground. Lampasas would have 349 total yards. They would have 157 of rushing yards and 192 in passing.
Individually for Stephenville, Trot Jordan was 20/27 for 291 yards on passing and three touchdowns. He would also run for 23 yards and two scores. Getting his first start of the season, senior running back Caleb Gleason would have 13 carries for 92 yards and 2 catches for 21. Receiving, Caden Monk would have a big night with ten grabs for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns. Adan Jergins would continue his streak of games with a touchdown as he hauled in a total of three catches for 50 yards and the score. Also catching passes for the Jackets were Pecos Tally for three and 50 yards and Jhett Banuelos for two catches at 16 yards.
Defensively on the stat sheet, in addition to the Gonzalez pick, Kipton Doty had a fumble recovery after the Jackson Richmond strip and Levi Yarbrough got his third sack of the year.
Next up for Stephenville will be another home game as China Spring comes to town. It will also be the Hall of Fame game. Stephenville will recognize six former student-athletes going into the Hall. Kickoff for the 6-0 Jackets will be at 7pm.
