James Clemens dominates homecoming game

Maceo Booker (21) runs the ball in the end zone at the bottom of the Jets’ game-winning first half. (RECORD PHOTO/CHARLEY GAINES)

By Charley Gaines

For the Record

MADISON – James Clemens’ football team set their own homecoming theme this year on the field Sept. 25. That theme? “Control.”

The 51-14 Friday-night stomping of the Mountain Brook Spartans started with 8:41 left in the first quarter. The Spartans held the Jets’ for 10 plays of short gains down the field, but Will Grochowski (21) put the first three points on the board.

Starting Quarterback Heath Burchfield (7) then passed to Maceo Booker (21) for the second touchdown for the Jets with two minutes left in the first quarter. The points came after Burchfield launched the ball down the field to Marquis Mitchell (11) the previous play for a huge gain.

Immanuel Wilder (3) had a 65 yard carry with 8:25 left in the first half bring the score to 23-0 Jets. The Spartans responded with a 97-yard run with the return, but the Jets didn’t lie down. Wilder had a huge return down the field, and Booker ran the ball in for another touchdown making the score 30-7 with 7:08 left in the half. The final seven on the board in the first half came after the Jets blocked a Spartans kick, scrambled onto the ball in the end zone and Monty Rice (4) stretched over the ball for the touchdown.

The Jets rumbled through the first half with a 37-7 lead. That show of confidence from a growing offense set up the big win for the Jets.

“I’m very proud of our offense tonight,” Head Coach Wade Waldrop said after the game. “They did a good job of giving us the early opportunity to be successful.”

Interceptions also played a big role in the Jets’ win with Kryiq McDonald (6) and Rice making huge plays throughout the game. McDonald managed to intercept the ball in the red zone and run the ball 101 yards in the third to bring the score to 44-7 with 6:30 left in the quarter.