Last year Jay High School ended a 10-year drought by making the playoffs. This past Friday night the Royals won their first playoff game since 2002 when they defeated Bozeman of Panama City 49-0.
The Royals (6-4) will look to continue their post-season run this Friday night when they travel to Vernon (8-2).
Coach Melvin Kersey called Friday night's 49-0 victory the most complete game the Royals have played this year and came at a good time with the playoffs under way.
“We played a complete football game finally,” Kersey said. “We ran the ball well, made some good passes and dominated on defense.”
James Eddings ended the night with 151 yards on 19 carries to lead a rushing attack that picked up 227 yards.
Jay's defense also forced six turnovers, four interceptions and two fumbles. Josh Majors had two interceptions that he returned for touchdowns.
“The defense set the tone for us early,” Kersey said. “I was really, really pleased with the team.”
Kersey said another bright spot was Trevor Flowers kicking PATs.
“We've struggled all year kicking extra points and got to the point we just went for two,” Kersey said.
But Friday night Flavors was seven for seven in PAT attempts.
Majors started the scoring for the Royals with 5:52 left in the first quarter when he intercepted a pass and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. Flowers' PAT gave the Royals a 7-0 lead.
Eddings found the end zone from 20-yards out with 4:46 left in the first and Flowers' PAT gave Jay a 14-0 lead.
Eddings opened the second quarter with a 21-yard touchdown run with 9:23 left in the half. Flowers' PAT made the score 21-0. Eddings was back in the end zone with 1:28 left in the half on a 2-yard run and Flower's PAT gave the Royals a 28-0 lead at the half.
Eddings opened the third quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run with 7:55 on the clock and Flowers' PAT gave Jay a 35-0 lead.
Bryson McCullough scored on a 10-yard run with 1:19 left in the third and following Flowers' PAT the Royals took a 42-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
The final score of the game came with 11:34 left to play when Majors returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown. Flowers' PAT made the final score 49-0.
Judd Smith completed four of nine passes for 52 yards to give Jay a total offensive effort of 279 yards.
Bozeman was held to 43 yards rushing and 13 yards passing for a total offensive effort of 56 yards.
