STEVENSON, Ala. - For all the attention senior running back Lee Witherspoon has gained for putting up video-game type numbers this football season - and he is a special athlete - it was North Jackson's defense that set the tone early and often Friday night against cross-county rival Scottsboro.
The Chiefs completely stuffed the Wildcats at every turn, holding the visitors to 5 yards on 33 rushing attempts and a mere 36 yards of total offense in a 56-3 whipping at R.D. Hicks Stadium.
"Our defensive guys have paid the price in the weightroom since the offseason, and there's not a game plan for how physical we are up front," Chiefs coach Mark Rose said. "Our defensive guys played a tremendous game.
"We're more than just Lee. But he's still pretty dang good."
With UAB coaches watching from the sideline, Witherspoon - the area's leading rusher who came in averaging a ridiculous 25.5 yards per carry - gained 125 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns, including a 76-yard scoring sprint. He also returned an interception 65 yards for a first-half score and brought back a punt 68 yards for yet another TD.
"I was getting a little frustrated early because I couldn't seem to get away," said Witherspoon, who went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season in only the Chiefs' fifth game. "But that first long run really got me going. The line blocked great and I just took off."
The Chiefs (5-0) outgained Scottsboro 317-36 in total yards, with 249 of theirs coming on the ground. North Jackson's defense held the Wildcats (2-3) to zero or negative yards on 23 snaps, including 14 in the second half. Scottsboro did not pick up a first down, other than by penalty, until late in the third quarter and was so frustrated at one point that its coaches opted to punt on third down near its own goal line rather than risk a safety.
North Jackson senior quarterback Tanner Woodall completed all four of his passes for 77 yards, including a 9-yard TD to his brother Travis, and also ran for 46 yards and a pair of scores.
"It's one thing when you can pound another team, which has always been our personality," Rose said, "but when Lee can get to the edge or if somebody makes a misstep, he's gone. You won't catch him.
"I was just really proud of the way we got after them on both sides of the ball tonight. This is a big win for us."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.