Teachers, please excuse any Central High School football players who have a harder time than usual focusing in class today.
It took more than three hours to complete and ended at 12:11 a.m., but the Purple Pounders earned an impressive 48-36 nonregion victory over Walker Valley in Thursday's season opener at Finley Stadium.
The teams combined for 967 yards of total offense and wasted no time in getting the fireworks started, scoring five touchdowns in the first quarter.
Central junior quarterback Jaheim Jones completed 13 of 20 passes for 200 yards with one TD and also ran for 57 yards and a score as the Pounders rolled up 520 yards of total offense
Senior defensive lineman Jerrod Bibbs was just as impressive on that side of the ball with three sacks, another tackle for loss and a fumble recovery he returned 52 yards for a TD.
Meanwhile, Walker Valley senior quarterback Kolten Gibson was all but unstoppable, completing 27 of 37 for 428 yards and five touchdowns. Zeke Westfield caught nine of those passes for 215 yards and a pair of scores.
Central needed just eight plays to score its first two touchdowns, jumping out to an 18-0 first-quarter lead before Walker Valley finally found its footing. The Mustangs rallied within 18-14, but from there Central maintained its advantage as the teams traded scores.
After Bibbs' fumble return gave Central some breathing room early in the third quarter, the Pounders used a power running game, led by juniors DonYa Parker and Michael McGhee, to maintain momentum. Parker finished with 158 yards on 15 carries, and McGhee added 116 on 17 tough carries.
The only negative for Central was it total of 14 penalties for 129 yards. It was the Pounders' first season-opening win in four years.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.