Jackson star running back E.J. Crowell (13) looks for running room behind Markevian Blake (54) during the Aggies’ 20-13 win over Baker in Mobile Thursday night. Crowell ran for 251 yards and a touchdown as the No. 1-ranked Class 4A Aggies defeated the Class 7A Hornets. (Eduardo Magana/Call News)
By EDUARDO MAGAÑA
MOBILE — E.J. Crowell ran for 251 yards on 20 carries, including a 70-yard touchdown run early in the second half, and No. 1-ranked Class 4A Jackson held on for a 20-13 win over previously unbeaten Class 7A Baker Thursday night.
The Aggies (3-1) built a 20-6 lead in the second half and seemed in control until the Hornets (3-1) cut the lead to 20-13 with 7:30 left in the game.
In the final minutes, Jackson faced a crucial fourth-and-1 at its 30 and Crowell slammed a yard to give the Aggies a first down and let them run out the clock.
“E.J. was incredible tonight but this was a total team victory,” Jackson coach Cody Flournoy said. “Our defense made key stops when we needed them and our offense capitalized on big plays. Baker made it tough in the second half but we stayed composed and finished strong. I’m proud of how our guys fought until the end.”
Quarterback Landon Duckworth added a 30-yard touchdown run in the second quarter when he flattened a Hornets defender at the goal line. Duckworth ran for 85 yards and passed for 101.
“Landon is our leader and he does things you just can’t coach,” Flournoy said.
Flournoy praised the contributions of the Aggies’ offensive and defensive lines.
“Our linemen played a key role in protecting the quarterback and stopping Baker’s opportunities,” he said. “We came out and won a tough, physical game.”
Crowell, a four-star Power 5 prospect, echoed Flournoy’s sentiments about winning up front.
“There’s still room for improvement but our linemen were a great support and they blocked well,” he said.
Jackson’s defense started the scoring on the Hornets’ first series when Quell Armstrong carried a pick-six 50 yards for a 6-0 lead.
“I feel good, excited,” Armstrong said. “The defense is doing their thing. I just saw the ball and went from there.”
The Hornets got field goals of 31 and 45 yards from Blayne Munson.
The Aggies’ win set up a huge 4A Region 1 game at home against No. 6-ranked Mobile Christian on Sept. 20.
Theodore 28,
Baldwin Co. 7
J.J. Bush rushed for 234 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns as the host Bobcats claimed their first win of the season after an 0-3 start. Bush scored on runs of 10 and 55 yards and completed a 50-yard pass to Raheem Vasser.
St. Paul’s 41,
Murphy 0
Anthony Frasier rushed for two touchdowns to lead Saints to a rout of the Panthers at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
“I am glad our guys came out and played hard tonight, although I don’t think we have played a complete game yet,” St. Paul’s coach Ham Barnett said.
Caleb Roland recovered two fumbles while William Abrams and Noah Abrams each recovered a fumble and Robert Whigham had an interception for a stingy Saints defense, which also had two safeties.
St. Paul’s raced to a 41-0 halftime lead and cruised from there.
Clarke Co. 27,
Bayshore 0
The Bulldogs scored three third-quarter touchdowns to pull away. Three plays after Trey Hammond scored on a 3-yard run, Jordan Haire blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Jamarcus Washington led CCHS with 96 yards rushing, including a 54-yard scamper to open the game.
