A tenacious Ethel High School defense and rain-soaked Bulldogs Stadium field held an imposing McAdams High School offense in check until junior-blur Kristopher Brown rushed for a 17-yard touchdown, en route to a 30-0 McAdams victory.
“I was proud of our execution and toughness against a very much improved and well-coached Ethel Tigers football team,” McAdams Head Coach Jim Risen said. “It could have gone in a different direction with the weather conditions, which led to some early turnovers.”
Brown followed the TD run with a two-point rushing conversion, which gave the Bulldogs an 8-0 lead, eight minutes into the game.
Quarterback Jorden Fleming’s 32-yard, second-quarter pass to Brown gave MHS a 14-0 lead at the half.
Fleming’s big-play flair surfaced again in the third, when the senior quarterback kept it himself and scored on a 16-yard run. The touchdown and two-point Bubba Ward conversion gave McAdams a 22-0 lead.
In the fourth, it was Brown’s turn to get in on the passing, when he connected with sophomore receiver Deon Wilkins on a 6-yard touchdown. A conversion on the ground by senior Jaquan Winters brought the Bulldogs’ total to 30 points.
Risen was not only impressed with his defense.
“I’m so proud of our defense holding Ethel to limited offensive production on key third down conversions,” he said.
Fleming had a big day on defense, recording nine total tackles (6 solo) and one interception. Senior Kendrioun Boatman led the team with 11 tackles (5 solo). Senior defensive lineman John Bayne had 10 (8 solo) and one interception. Junior Percy Lewis had 8 (6 solo) and two sacks. Demarcus Gray and Lewis Latiker each totaled 7 tackles (4 solo, each). Ward (5), Taveon Rimmer (3) and Winters (3) also contributed. Sophomore MeKyle Riley broke up a pass.
On offense, Brown totaled 156 rushing on 17 carries (1 TD), two receptions for 52 yards (1 TD) and one passing TD. Fleming carried the ball 16 times for 81 yards (1 TD), and completed 2 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Gray and Ward rushed for 23 and 39 yards, respectively. Winters had two receptions for 36 yards, and Wilkins accounted for the Bulldogs’ second touchdown reception.
Risen noted the play of his entire offensive line, including Boatman, Timoth Davis, Latiker, Joseph Jenkins, Tay Riley and Jerry Wright, as well as tight end Amir Bentley, who opened holes that led to more than 300 rushing yards.
McAdams next game is Friday in West Tallahatchie.
