Jacksonville scores first, but West Memphis rolls

Jacksonville running back Shawn Ellis (right) tries to avoid a tackle from a West Memphis defender during the Titans’ 54-7 loss to the Blue Devils on Friday in Jacksonville. For more high school football photos, visit arkansasonline.com/galleries.
Jacksonville running back Shawn Ellis (right) tries to avoid a tackle from a West Memphis defender during the Titans’ 54-7 loss to the Blue Devils on Friday in Jacksonville. For more high school football photos, visit arkansasonline.com/galleries.

JACKSONVILLE -- West Memphis rolled up a 28-7 lead at halftime and never looked back as the Blue Devils defeated Jacksonville 54-7.

[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD: Full results + recaps, photos and more]

Junior quarterback Amaurius Stinnett threw two touchdown passes and ran for another for the Blue Devils (6-2, 4-1 6A-East), who registered only two plays of more than 20 yards in the first two quarters.

"We just stayed steady and played the way we normally play offensively," said West Memphis Coach Billy Elmore. "We're not a big-play team. We grind it out."

Senior running back Martavious Thomas rushed for 73 of his game-high 121 yards in the second half. Thomas had a 61-yard gain in the third quarter, which set up his 3-yard touchdown run three plays later.

The Titans (2-6, 1-4) took an early 7-0 lead on a 45-yard touchdown pass from H.D. Martin to Jonathan Hall.

West Memphis answered with a 70-yard touchdown pass from Stinnett to Steven Stone and it took only 37 seconds for the Blue Devils to take the lead for good after the Titans fumbled the ensuing kickoff.

Stinnett's 1-yard touchdown made it 14-7 Blue Devils.

West Memphis got its other two touchdowns in the first half from Devonte Dean on a 3-yard run and a 16-yard pass. Dean rushed for 50 yards on 16 carries.

West Memphis gained 381 yards of offense, while Jacksonville was held to 182 yards.

Sports on 10/22/2016

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