Vols storm back at Mortimer Jordan, end Blue Devils’ Super 7 bid

Published 12:20 am Saturday, December 1, 2018

KIMBERLY—The fifth-ranked Mortimer Jordan football team looked ready for its second state championship game appearance in four years, but a 10-point fourth quarter lead in Jimmie Trotter Stadium would not hold on Friday night.

Central of Clay County scored two touchdowns late in the final frame for a 20-17 Class 5A semifinal win that pairs the Vols win No. 2 Vigor next Thursday in the state championship game.

Trailing 17-7 midway through the fourth, Clay-Central (11-3) found the end zone for the first time on a 24-yard toss from Boyd Ogles to Javon Wood. That pass converted a fourth-and-6 opportunity for the visitors.

Mortimer Jordan (12-2) would quickly punt the ball back to Ogles and co. following a three-and-out series. Clay-Central needed just five plays to find the end zone again. Micah Garrett finished the series with a 5-yard dash to the left pile on, giving the Vols their first lead of the second half at 20-17 with 1:40 remaining.

That score would later go final.

Prior to Clay-Central’s two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, the visitors had struggled in the wet conditions. Their first nine drives went as follows:

• three and out

• touchdown (Michael Garrett 1-yard run)

• lost fumble (Dylan Morris recovered)

• interception (Garrett Helm)

• three and out

• interception (Boo Prisoc)

• three and out

• three and out

• punt

The Blue Devils sat on a 17-7 lead at the 1:09 mark of the third quarter thanks to a 36-yard run in the mud from junior Garrett Helm. Mortimer Jordan had taken a 10-7 lead minutes earlier as Ferram Sanchez connected on a 24-yard field goal.

Quarterback Kourtlan Marsh tied the game at 7 with a short keeper late in the first half. Marsh went 6 for 14 passing for 83 yards. As a team, Mortimer Jordan finished with 175 yards of offense.

Clay-Central went for 199 yards of offense in the win. The Vols passed for 110 yards and ran for another 89.

Mortimer Jordan had won 12 straight games leading up to the semifinal contest.

“I hate that I let these seniors down, but I’m really proud of them,” said Mortimer Jordan head coach Dusty Goode. “We’ve got a great administration, great student body, great school and I’m very proud to be where I’m at.”

Goode also praised multiple players for playing through injuries this season, including Marsh and Dylan Morris.