Jackets scrimmage Dublin

Last Friday night, Jeff Davis and Dublin met in Hazlehurst for the Yellow Jackets’ 2nd preseason scrimmage. Dublin squeaked out a 7-6 lead in the 2-quarter varsity encounter with the Irish dominating the 3rd quarter second team battle. The youngest players took the field in the final quarter.
The Jackets got a gift early in the contest when, on 4th-and-8 from the Dublin 10 yard line, the Irish punter dropped to his knee as he took the low snap from center. That gave the Jackets the ball at the Dublin one.
On the 2nd play after that, Kobe Hill took the ball into the end zone to give JD a 6-0 lead.
A fumbled snap on the extra point attempt foiled the try.
Dublin returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Jacket 42. They scored 5 plays later and kicked the extra point to make it 7-6.
On their 2nd possession, the Jacket offense controlled the football for 14 plays, reaching the Dublin 1 with a 1st-and-goal. Durden pitched the ball to Braylon Varnedore who mishandled the ball and the ball bounced into the end zone where Varnedore recovered for an apparent touchdown, But the head official ruled that Durden was down when he pitched the ball and the score was nullified. Unable to score, Calderon came on to try a 20-yd. field goal but a wide snap nixed the try.
Kei’lyn Biggins had a 22-yd. run around the right side during the march for the biggest gainer.
Dublin put together an 11-play drive on their next possession, reaching the Yellow Jacket 17 before Durden halted the march with a leaping interception and the Jackets took over at the Irish 9 yard line.
Unable to move the ball, the Jackets punted the ball away. The punt reception was fumbled and Biggins recovered at the JD 39. Durden scrambled out of the pocket on a pass play and weaved his way 35 yards to the Irish 30.
With time running out in the half, Calderon lined up for a 38-yd. field goal. His kick was long enough but the ball tailed off to the left and the score remained 7-6 at halftime.
The jayvees took the field in the 3rd quarter with junior Peyton Jones taking over the quarterback duties.
Dublin scored on its 1st two second half possessions.
Later, sophomore Matthew McCall took over at quarterback as the JD coaching staff continued to get their younger players some experience. Freshman Colt Carter also spent some time as the Jacket signal caller.
This Friday night the regular season begins as the Vidalia Indians visit Hazlehurst for both teams’ season openers.