Jets glide through Jamboree game 38-7

Immanuel Wilder turns a short pitch-and-catch into a big gain in the first quarter while being pursued by East Limestone defenders. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

ATHENS – James Clemens’ playmakers on offense carved up the East Limestone Indians’ defense in the Jets’ jamboree exhibition game Aug. 21. The game, played at East Limestone’s stadium in Athens, favored James Clemens 28-7 at halftime and the Jets were able to ride that advantage to a comfortable win.

Starting running back Maceo Booker eclipsed the 100-yard mark by the end of the second quarter. Booker scored the first points of the contest in the first quarter with a 4-yard scamper into the end zone and added touchdown runs of 5 and 20 yards by halftime.

“He fought hard, so I expected him to make some plays,” coach Wade Waldrop said of Booker. “Everybody does. He’s worked really hard and played really well.”

The linebacking corps stood out for the Jets often Thursday night. Whenever the Indians got any momentum on offense, either Dylan Hampton or Khalil McDonald or any member of James Clemens’ front-seven made a key defensive stop to stall East Limestone’s drive.

Quarterback Heath Burchfield chipped in a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior wideout Miles Whitlow at 5:37 to go in the second quarter to make the score 21-0. Speedy Immanuel Wilder got the offense going with a long run-and-catch on one of the Jet’s first plays of the game.

While Booker received most of the carries in the first half, Anthony Bolden received several carries with the first-team offense as well, running behind the Jets’ veteran offensive line.

“[The] offensive line did a good job, especially in the second quarter,” Waldrop said. “We got some things cleaned up with that.”

James Clemens has a week to prepare for the season opener on Aug. 28, when it welcomes Athens to the Madison City Stadium.