In a homecoming game that saw blocked field goals, long touchdowns and ridiculous turnovers, the Patriots won their sixth consecutive game when they emerged victorious over the Miami Jackson Generals 51-27.
Jackson began the game quickly, with senior quarterback Desmond Phillips throwing a long pass to senior receiver Eugene Witherspoon, catching the Patriots defense off guard. However, the rest of the game was a much different story.
The Generals settled for a field goal, but senior defensive end Brian Burns blocked it. On the ensuing drive, senior running back Khalil Herbert punched the ball into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
After junior receiver Jaquan Cribbs tied the game with an almost ludicrous, one-handed touchdown catch after a deflection, the Patriots were unstoppable. Sophomore cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. scored a pick-six, and junior quarterback Jason Brown scored his first of five touchdowns on the night.
At halftime, the Patriots led 30-14 and completely dominated the game. They forced three takeaways, had no turnovers and completely shut down the Generals offense.
Jackson came into the second half swinging. Brown threw his first of two interceptions of the night, and junior receiver Eugene Witherspoon scored a 43-yard touchdown, his first of two for the Generals, cutting the lead to 10. Eubanks responded with a his first touchdown, and senior quarterback Desmond Phillips tore the Patriots defense apart with a 52-yard touchdown run.
Another Brown to Eubanks end zone connection for 64 yards spread the lead back to 17. The Patriots then recovered the next kickoff, and the game was essentially over. Brown scored his third rushing touchdown of the night, and a second field goal block completely iced the game.
The Patriots, though they completely controlled the entire game, did show some weaknesses. Brown threw two interceptions, one of which led to a Jackson touchdown. The team amassed a large number of yards in penalties, especially in personal fouls, bailing the Generals out drive after drive.
Opposing quarterback Phillips also proved his multi-talented dual nature of running and passing, mirroring Michael Vick. A lefty, he scrambled out of the pocket when necessary and was quick to find holes to gain extra yards.
Even with these faults, the Patriots proved why they are 7-1. They proved why they are ranked third in state. And they proved why they have an excellent to win the state championship for a third year in a row.
The triple threat of Brown, senior running back Khalil Herbert and junior running back Kyshaun Bryan proved too difficult to handle for the Generals run defense. The trio always had fresh legs, endlessly tiring out the defense.
Brown, although showing a reluctance to be tackled, proved his development and maturity as a player with his mastery of read options. He scored his first two touchdowns on quarterback keepers from read options, resulting in 27- and 22-yard touchdowns. Eubanks burned cornerbacks and safeties all night. The versatility of the offense kept the Generals on their toes.
The offense wasn’t the only outstanding part of the team. The special teams blocked two field goals and recovered an onside kick. The defense forced four turnovers, scored a touchdown and constantly pressured Phillips. Every part of the squad synced together to form an unstoppable monster that sent the Generals scurrying home.
