Woodford County rolls to 60-14 victory over West Jessamine: “We’re Just Some Dogs”
Earlier in the week, Woodford County head coach Dennis Johnson noted that he wanted to get Preston Stacy up to speed Friday.
Mission accomplished.
Stacy, who had been slowed by injuries, had a receiving touchdown, a reception that set up a one-yard Bryce Patterson TD run, and a key 3rd down sack.
That was just in the first five minutes.
Woodford County, known for running the triple-option, attacked through the air to start the Kroger KSR Game of the Week against West Jessamine on Friday night. They began the game by drawing consecutive defensive PI calls before Patterson connected with Stacy for a 34-yard scoring strike. The extra point was no good.
“We wanted to come out and throw the ball,” Coach Johnson said after the game. “You know we wanted to get Bryce going and at some point we are going to have to throw the ball to be successful. I think we can run it pretty well.”
After forcing a 3-and-out, Patterson scored on a one-yard run that was set up by a 23-yard pass to Stacy. That made it 12-0 in favor of Woodford less than three minutes in.
“We just got going way too quick to be honest with you,” Stacy said. “I mean, we went in and got a touchdown the first drive. Got a touchdown the second drive. I mean we’re just some dogs, to be honest with you.”
Jacob Jones got the West Jessamine Colts going with a long pass to Dalton Carter. Stacy came up with a big sack on third and long, though, to stop the drive.
Jackson Geilear quickly added a 58-yard TD run to make it 18-0 Jackets.
West Jessamine fumbled the ensuing kickoff but stopped Woodford for the first time thanks to a 4th down pass breakup by Eli Nickell. The play prior, an apparent Patterson to Aden Nelson TD was called back due to offensive pass interference.
Stacy, who rushed for 1,000 yards last year, added another TD on the second play of the second quarter, this one a 59-yard run right up the gut to make it 25-0 Jackets.
Isaac Reed got the ball right back for Woodford County via an interception off a tipped pass.
Patterson then threw a touchdown pass to Nelson that was called back due to a holding penalty. Another tough break for Nelson. Eventually backed up to 1st and 30, Woodford still marched down the field to score on a pass from Patterson to Nelson that to make it 32-0 with 6:57 left in the first half.
Nelson, a junior who has interest from Cincinnati and EKU, showed off his defensive skills, swatting a Jones pass on the next possession. West Jessamine eventually cashed in, though, on an incredible catch from Carter off of a seven-yard 4th and goal pass from Jones, who is the son of former Kentucky QB Pookie Jones.
Nelson quickly answered with a 61-yard run to make it 39-7 Jackets late in the second quarter.
The Colts threatened to score before halftime, but Nelson intercepted a Jones 4th down pass to preserve the 39-7 lead going into the locker room.
The Jackets recovered a short kick to start half number two. Patterson’s TD pass to Makhi Smith made it 46-7, setting off a running clock with 10:38 remaining in the third quarter. Patterson added another scoring pass to Smith which made it 53-7 late in the third. Jones connected with Carter again to cut the lead to 53-14 before Andrew Mason’s rushing TD made the final margin 60-14 in favor of WoCo.
Woodford County, which went 0-10 in 2017 and 2-9 in 2018, is now 6-0 and one of the hottest teams in the state. They hold a 57-0 win over 3A title contender Glasgow and a hard-fought win over last year’s 4A runner-up Franklin County, snapping a 13-year losing streak to their rival.
“The first game against Glasgow was a huge game for us to give us confidence and momentum,” Johnson said. “Getting the victory (over Franklin County) kind of solidified us, gave us a good statement win.
The Jackets will look to challenge the likes of Frederick Douglass and South Warren for a 5A state championship. If they can clean up some penalties, look for the Yellow Jackets to make a deep playoff run.
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