Mortimer Jordan senior Preston Wilson makes a tackle on Friday night in the opening round of the state playoffs. 

No. 7 Mortimer Jordan, much like Gardendale, advanced past the first round of the playoffs thanks to timely defense. The Blue Devils slipped past Pleasant Grove, 22-20, after holding on a potential game-tying 2-point conversion with 33 seconds remaining.

Offensively, Mortimer Jordan (9-2) ventured from its normal look on Friday night. The home team put the ball in the hands of quarterback Douglas Moore and asked him to sling it around (at least a bit more than usual).

Moore, a transfer from Gardendale, completed 14 of his 20 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. His first score went 20 yards to Noah Cardwell late in the first quarter to claim an 8-0 lead. Mortimer Jordan’s final score of the night was a 35-yard touchdown pass from Moore to Hunter Bartlett with 11:07 remaining.

The Blue Devils were outgained 232 rushing yards to 79. Spencer Brown ran 22 times for 69 yards and a touchdown, but added another 59 yards receiving in the win.

Garek Hall led the receiving efforts with 107 yards on three receptions. Bartlett went for 45 yards and the touchdown on four receptions.

Mortimer Jordan faces No. 4 Etowah next Friday in the second round of the playoffs.

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.