Jets steamroll Grissom in Jamboree game

Maceo Booker runs for James Clemens against Grissom
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

HUNTSVILLE- After their winless season a year ago, James Clemens has more than their share of doubters as their second season begins.

But after a dominating performance Friday night against Grissom in a jamboree game at Milton Frank Stadium, a few non-believers will begin to take notice.

The Jets starters played into the third quarter and led Grissom 35-6 when they exited. They led 28-6 at the half. The final score after backups entered in the third quarter was 48-12.

“I hope they are excited, they need to be excited,” said Jets Coach Wade Waldrop. “I want them to expect this is how we want to play. Our conditioning is pretty good. The starters were ready to play a full game.”

After a slow start the Jets dominated on both offense and defense. They were forced to punt on their first series after a touchdown pass was called back on a holding penalty. Their next series featured a center snap sailing over the quarterback’s head for an 18- yard loss.

Grissom took advantage and scored on a one yard run midway through the first quarter.

It would be all the scoring the Tigers would get as the Jets defense swarmed ball carriers the rest of the game and came up with big plays behind the line of scrimmage by Jordan Lowe and LaBryan Ray.

Trailing 6-0, the Jets offense took off as quarterback Heath Burchfield hit Deondre Douglas in stride on an 88-yard bomb for their first touchdown. Logan Mueller kicked the extra point to make it 7-6.

On the ensuing series Jets linebacker Dylan Hampton sacked the Grissom quarterback and forced a fumble which he recovered in the end zone.

After another Grissom fumble, Deondre Douglas went 22 yards on an end around but the drive ended on a Maceo Booker fumble.

The Jets got the ball back on an interception by Khalil McDonald who returned it to the 13-yard line. Booker scored from six yards out to make it 21-6.

Booker followed the blocking of Logan Stenberg and Keoni Parks on the right side of the line and found running room all game.

Burchfield struck again just before the half as he hit Miles Whitlow on a 28-yard touchdown pass. In the first half, he was 6 of 8 passing for 147 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions.

“I like his command of the offense,” Waldrop said of Burchfield. “He did a good job but he’s got a lot more in him than what you saw tonight, he’s a good player.”

“As a team we got to get a lot tougher, we got a long way to go. We didn’t block anybody the first two series. When we get our hats on people Maceo can run the football.  Defensively we made two big mistakes on long runs, things we can correct.”

Jets Coach Wade Waldrop
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)

Officially though, the Jets are still looking for their first victory as a football program.

James Clemens will get that chance as they open their season next Friday night against Johnson. The game will be played at Louis Crews Stadium at Alabama A&M.