KIMBERLY—It was an opportunistic defense that sparked the Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils on Thursday night in the opening round of the Class 5A state playoffs.

Lawrence County (5-6), the visitors from Region 8, were driving the ball on their second possession of the night when Mortimer Jordan sophomore Garrett Helm anticipated the throw and seized his opportunity. Helm jumped in front of a short pass from Codey Blankenship and raced 56 yards to the end zone, setting the tone for Mortimer Jordan’s ninth win of the season—a 28-12 decision over the Red Devils.

“That was huge! Garrett Helm, another sophomore, made a perfect read and that really gave us a lift,” said Mortimer Jordan head coach Dusty Goode after the game.

Another player that provided a lift was senior JuJu Washington. The cornerback has spent most of his time on the Blue Devils’ defense this fall, but Goode stuck him in the offensive backfield for a little playoff spark.

“We’ve been working on some stuff with JuJu. We try to keep kids healthy and keep folks fresh, but in the playoffs you can’t hold anything back,” said Goode. “JuJu is a dynamic player and a great kid.”

The fleet-footed corner stepped in the backfield on Mortimer Jordan’s final possession of the first half and helped propel the offense on a last-minute touchdown drive that ended with a 4-yard scamper from quarterback Kourtlan Marsh. That quarterback keeper was the final play of the second quarter and put the home team ahead, 14-0.

Washington carried the ball three times on that drive, slashing his way to 34 yards and providing a burst of energy. The senior averaged nearly 10 yards per carry (five attempts for 48 yards) on Thursday night.

In the second half Mortimer Jordan (9-2) got its hands on two more interceptions. First, Blake Chaffin turned the visitors over in the red zone before Ronnie Wright went up for Mortimer Jordan’s third pick of the night early in the third frame.

Later on, Marsh closed a two-play drive with a 68-yard pitch to Justin Anderson, who plucked down a tipped pass and shook free from a would-be tackler, clearing the way for a long run to paydirt. Anderson went home with five receptions for 126 yards and the touchdown.

From there, Mortimer Jordan pretty much kept the ball on the ground. Helm and Daniel Franklin took turns running the ball on a devastating nine-play touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Franklin capped it off with a 4-yard touchdown, giving the good guys a 28-6 lead with 7:32 remaining.

Lawrence County did answer with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Blankenship to Christian Smith, but the Blue Devils recovered the ensuing onside kick and began working the clock.

Mortimer Jordan hosts fourth-ranked Wenonah next week in Round 2. The Dragons beat Alexandria 40-14 Thursday night.

“Wenonah is a great football team. If we stay together and stay hungry, I think we might have a chance next week,” said Goode.

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