McCrory has its sights set on its first conference title since 2010, and the Jaguars seem to be in good position to earn it.
The four remaining teams on the Jaguars' schedule have a combined record of 7-13, and Coach Chris Kennon's team is averaging 34.8 points per game while giving up only 10.0.
"We're throwing the ball a little better this year and our defense is really playing well," Kennon said. "We've held every team to 200 yards of total yards or less."
McCrory (5-0, 4-0 6-2A) has shut out two opponents and the Jaguars' starters did not play in the second half of two games, including last week's 42-14 victory over Palestine-Wheatley.
Senior Kaigen Rogo has 737 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on 79 carries. He has also caught two touchdown passes.
"He's very elusive," Kennon said. "He's not super fast, but he's shifty. He's hard to tackle."
Rogo had more than 2,100 rushing yards in 13 games a year ago, but Kennon said he isn't trying to overwork his running back.
"If we don't have to run him to death, we won't," Kennon said. "We expect him to carry the load when we need him to."
Kennon said Rogo, who gained 129 yards in the first quarter Friday and was ejected in the second quarter, will not play in Friday's game against Brinkley (3-2, 2-2).
Senior quarterback Cade Campbell has thrown for approximately 400 yards with six touchdowns.
"We haven't thrown much this season, but when we have it's been effective," Kennon said.
Senior linebacker Hunter Davis leads the team in tackles with 62 while Campbell has been in on 51.
Kennon said the key to defeating Brinkley is limiting the Tigers' big plays.
"Brinkley is so explosive," Kennon said. "They have some big, physical kids who run really well. ... We've been very good about not giving up big plays, but Brinkley is a team very capable of hitting big plays."
PRESCOTT
Onside successful
Prescott had a 36-22 lead at halftime at Episcopal Collegiate last Friday and was set to kick off to open the second half.
Curley Wolves Coach Tommy Poole didn't want to let Wildcats seniors Allie Freeman or Kelvin Robinson return the kick, so Poole had his kicker go for the onside kick.
Prescott recovered the ball and turned it into another score as quarterback Trevor Pipkin threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Rucker to make it 42-22 with 10:18 left in the third quarter. Prescott (3-2) went on to win 62-36 to improve to 2-0 in the 5-3A Conference.
Poole said going for the onside kick was an easy decision.
"They've got two guys who are dangerous," Poole said. "They've been returning it to the 50. We thought we'd give it a shot. We work on it on a daily basis. We felt like it was a good time to do it."
Episcopal Collegiate Coach Richie Marsh said he expected Prescott to go for the onside kick on several occasions because of the threat of Freeman and Robinson.
"It was a game-changer," Marsh said. "Our game plan was to come out and put it in and make it a one-score game. It didn't work out like that. We'll make that play next time."
Extra points
Two of Class 2A's top quarterbacks will meet in a 5-2A Conference showdown Friday night in England. Conway Christian senior Jakob Henry has passed for 1,362 yards with 19 touchdowns and 1 interception. He passed for 172 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles' 63-0 victory over Mountain Pine last Friday. England junior Brayden Brazeal has passed for 1,280 yards with 16 touchdowns and no interceptions for the Lions. Conway Christian (3-2) and England (5-0) are in a three-way tie for first place at 2-0 in the 5-3A with Quitman (4-1, 2-0). ... Harding Academy has won 47 consecutive conference games. The Wildcats (4-1, 2-0) have defeated Atkins and Barton in the 2-3A Conference this season. Harding Academy has not lost a conference game since a 16-7 loss to Mayflower on Oct. 17, 2008. ... Lamar has averaged 330.5 yards rushing in its two 4-3A Conference victories the past two weeks against Lavaca and Mansfield. Senior Dusty Wilkins had 113 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Warriors' 50-20 victory at Mansfield last Friday.
Sports on 10/07/2015