STEVENSON, Ala. – Neither next week’s playoffs nor the fact that Scottsboro had struggled this year were enough to cause North Jackson to overlook its cross-county rival.
The Chiefs, who moved up to No. 2 in Alabama’s Class 4A state rankings this week, were solid on both sides of the ball in whipping Scottsboro 48-7 Friday night for their seventh straight win in the series.
“We’ve been real balanced on offense all year, and that makes it easy for us to call plays and tough for folks to stop us,” North Jackson coach Shawn Peek said.
The Chiefs (10-0) will host Brooks (6-4) in next week’s playoff first round.
In rolling up 459 total yards, the Chiefs were not as balanced as they had been this season, but that was just fine by running back Deuntae Johnson. The senior, who transferred from Scottsboro before this season, had 16 carries for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
“I have mixed emotions, to be honest,” said Johnson, who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season. “I’ve played with those guys [Scottsboro] my whole life – I grew up with them – but this is my team now, and I had to do what I could to help us win.
“My line made it easy for me tonight.”
After scoring twice in each of the first two quarters, North Jackson dominated the third quarter with three scores and held the Wildcats to no rushing yards and no first downs in the second half. Scottsboro finished the game with more penalty yards (150) than total offense (134).
Senior quarterback Zac Barnard completed 14 of 19 passes for 180 yards and four TDs. He is closing in on 2,000 yards this season.
“We’re awfully tough to stop because of the threats we’ve got all over the field,” Peek said. “Having a big, physical back like Deuntae makes it easy on us too. He’s a guy that runs with a lot of passion and really gives us another dimension.”