Corner 48, Locust Fork 20: Byrd is the word

Published 12:22 am Saturday, September 24, 2011

So, Blake Byrd, how do you like being a running quarterback?

“Heh-heh, I like it,” the Corner junior said with a grin.

He should like it, as he dashed for four touchdowns in the Yellow Jackets’ 48-20 rout of homestanding Locust Fork on Friday.

Byrd scored four of the first five Corner touchdowns. He dashed 23 yards to paydirt on his team’s fourth play from scrimmage.

Byrd then scored three straight touchdowns in the third quarter, for 28, 18 and 13 yards, as the Jackets ran away with the game late.

It’s the first time Byrd has scored four touchdowns on the ground, which is unusual for an offense that normally relies quite a bit on his arm.

But the young Hornets defense simply couldn’t hand Corner’s ground game, which is probably just as well for the Jackets, as Byrd was having trouble connecting with his receivers. He was 3-for-13 with one interception in the first half, and only attempted one other pass before being pulled in the second half.

But the Jackets’ offensive line was having a stellar night, opening holes in the Locust Fork defense for Byrd left and right. Two of his scoring runs came straight up the gut, and the other two around the ends.

Byrd nearly scored two other times. He was stuffed by the Hornets goal line twice from one yard out, then tackled from behind on a 76-yard scamper, brought down at the 19.

It was also a banner night for kicker Troy Elliott, as he punched in a 50-yard field goal — just short his personal record of 51 yards — plus another from 39 yards.

The long field goal drew looks of disbelief from Hornet fans, who quickly saw why Elliott is being looked at by SEC teams.

Running back Jacob Collier walked the tightrope down the Jackets’ sideline for 27 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. Kerry Smith, Byrd’s replacement in the second half, also scored on a 7-yard run early in the final period.

Locust Fork (1-4) scored on a 6-yard pass to Clay Smith from Geoffrey Bramblett, son of the Hornets’ coach and a transfer from Hoover.

Byrd finished with 191 yards on 13 carries, his best career rushing game.