SPORTS

H.S. FOOTBALL: USJ stops TCA’s big plays to pull away

Brandon Shields
bjshields@jacksonsun.com

University School of Jackson’s football team consistently made plays on Friday night against Trinity Christian to beat the Lions 41-21.

USJ's William Jones runs the ball 90 yards for a kickoff return touchdown Friday against TCA.

It took the Bruins about three-and-a-half quarters to pull away to the big lead as the Lions made enough big plays to stay in the game.

“When they have a guy [TCA running back Andrew Goldsmith] who can run for 200 yards against St. George’s and is a load to stop, they’re going to have that ability,” said USJ head coach Mickey Marley. “He’s a good athlete and a good back, and he was hard to stop.”

For the most part, USJ’s defense did stop Goldsmith and keep him in check. He still rushed for 118 yards on 20 carries with a rushing touchdown.

But there were times when Goldsmith broke away, like in the second quarter when he picked up a USJ fumble at midfield and ran it back for a touchdown to give the Lions a 7-3 lead. It was their only lead of the night, and it didn’t last long.

USJ quarterback Easton Underwood throws the ball Friday night against TCA.

USJ responded immediately with a touchdown when William Jones returned the ensuing kick nearly the length of the field for a score and a 10-7 lead.

“That’s a sign of a young team that needs to grow up,” said TCA coach Blake Butler. “Some of our guys need to learn you can’t take plays off, because you will get exposed in varsity football more than you did in middle school.

“We’ve got to do a better job of that.”

USJ made some big plays too. TCA had a hard time moving the ball on its next drive and turned it over on a fumble recovered by Deric Johnson. The mistake cost TCA as the turnover started a drive for USJ that ended with a touchdown run by Easton Underwood to give the Bruins a 10-point lead.

TCA’s Andrew Goldsmith takes the handoff from QB Tristan Bonstetter Friday night against USJ.

That lead was cut to four just before half when USJ threw an interception deep in its own territory, and Goldsmith later ran the ball for a score from eight yards out.

“That was my mistake, and I got on to myself at half and admitted it to the guys when we should’ve run the time out before the half,” Marley said. “So that one was on me.

“We ran the ball more in the second half, and that helped us a lot there late.”

The run game was effective in the second half as Mitchell Bodiford and Wells Smith shared ball-carrying duties and picked up chunks of yardage with dependable consistency.

“This game was circled on my calendar at home as our biggest game of the year,” Bodiford said about wanting to come out and have a good game against TCA to end a two-game losing streak to the Lions. “To have a game like this and end our series with them with a win is special for me.”

Smith said there wasn’t a special game plan for the Lions other than to simply do what they do with one special prerequisite.

“Run away from No. 1,” Smith said about trying to keep the ball away from Goldsmith. “He’s a good athlete and good tackler, so we knew we needed to stay away from him especially and just keep the clock running as much as we could.”

Bodiford led the Bruins with 52 rushing yards and two scores. Smith finished with a touchdown of his own.

For TCA, Butler said there was quality play from some of his older players like Eli Parker, who had a 63-yard touchdown reception, and sophomore lineman Zachary Yarbrough.

The Lions will go on the road to Adamsville next week to open Region 6-2A play, and USJ will be at home playing Tipton-Rosemark in Division II-A West play.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751

USJ’s Holland Hawks carries the ball Friday night, pursued by TCA’s Zachary Yarbrough.
TCA's Eli Parker breaks several tackles Friday night against USJ.