By Bobby L. Wilson

BHS sports

The Bassfield Yellowjackets power and strength and reputation were too much for the Tartar’s of Taylorsville to handle.

From the opening of the game, the Taylorsville that the Jackets have faced in the past did not show up. The Taylorsville that did show up was a team that was undisciplined, a bit scared, and simply not ready to face the onslaught that was ahead of them.

A game that started out with mistakes by Taylorsville, not once, but twice in the first two minutes and 19 seconds of the game turned in to an old fashion butt whipping in their own backyard.

With the Jackets fans out numbering the Tartar fans at least 5 to 1, something just didn’t feel right. With a team with the history that Taylorsville has, where were the fans? As said, it did not take long to figure that out either. All the anticipation of what would be was over quickly.

On the first play from scrimmage, Taylorsville set up to run an option play (won’t they ever learn) and put the pigskin on the ground immediately giving the Jackets just what they and the fans needed.

Two plays and 17 yards and T-Rod Daniels finished the short drive with a two-yard run. After the Mancuso kick with only 52 seconds gone in the game, the Jackets led 7-0.

Three more plays for Taylorsville, and mistake number two came, as someone forgot to line up on the right side, resulting in four Jackets nailing the punter into the ground and the ball flying backwards for Curtis Mikell to pick up on one hop and make a quick jaunt to the end zone. Only two minutes and 19 seconds into the game and the Jackets were two touchdowns up.

The undisciplined Tartars fighting each other going of the field, throwing each other to the ground, a team totally out of control-and its’ still the first quarter.

After receiving the Tartar punt at the three-yard line, Taylorsville finally had the Jackets pinned right where they wanted them with their backs against their own goal.

Power running by AJ Moore and his twin CJ, followed by off tackle runs by T-Rod and Rachaud Green then bam, T-Rod was off to the races down the right side for 82 yards, 21-0 and the first quarter was still just getting started.

Shock and happiness spread up and down the sidelines and throughout the stands and ten deep standing by the fence.

A couple of punts, one by each team and into the second quarter where the feelings and the fears of playing at Taylorsville suddenly appeared and with vengeance.

The flags flew, and the officiating crew from the Gulf Coast suddenly took center stage, 92 yards in penalties put a cold knife into the joy that everyone should have been feeling.

Now, the focus of the coaching staff had to turn from the game plan and to the players to keep their heads on straight and control their emotions and focus on the task at hand, despite the circumstances of which they could not control.

And that’s what they did, the penalties were strange, numerous, and controlling, but the Jackets marched on. CJ intercepted a pass on the Tartars next drive at the 30-yard line and despite drive changing penalties, Brandon Mancuso was able to connect with a perfect 30 yard field goal, to put the Jackets up 24-0,

Taylorsville’s next drive was filled with Jacket penalties that gave them 45 of their 64 yards needed to finally put points on the board.  The point after was blocked, but the momentum took a brief tilt toward the other sideline.

Taylorsville put up their best defensive stand of the evening forcing another Jacket punt, but Brandon pinned the Tartars back at their own five-yard line. Six plays were all they could muster before putting the ball back on the ground again. With the Jackets recovering at the 20-yard line by Jimmie Funchess it was lights out for the Tartars.

A perfectly executed pro style pass and catch by CJ Moore to Curtis Mikell to the back one yard square of the end zone was what the Jackets needed with the second quarter running out. Not to be thou, as a holding call was flagged, then an unsportsmanlike call for throwing the ball to hard to the ground, and it could have unnerved most teams, but not tonight.

A 23-yard run by CJ put the ball on the 10-yard line. Another perfect pass to the back corner again, this time to Jamal Peters, and the touchdown was finally ruled a touchdown at 9.9 seconds on the clock.

After one run by Taylorsville, the half ended.

For the 13^th time this season the Jackets took their opening second half drive and scored. CJ ran for 3 yards, and then 61 yards down the sideline. The speed of the Jackets was so overpowering that it was almost unfair to watch the game unfold. Suddenly 38-6 and it was time to run the clock.

Taylorsville could do nothing again and turned the ball over on downs at the 11-yard line. After stalling out after moving the ball 30 yards, Brandon pinned the Tartar’s back at the 16-yard line with a good 43-yard punt.

After another Tartar punt, Coach Mancuso had to deal with a ease dropping Tartar on every call to CJ. The Tartar player would come over to the Jacket sideline, perfectly legal, and listen to what ever he could hear and run back to the defensive huddle. It appeared that Mancuso was toying with the player, calling a play, calling time out, calling a play, calling time out, then sending T-Rod to the right side for 60 yards, as the defense with bad info rush to the opposite side. The player never came back to the sideline.

Mancuso’s kick put the Jackets up 45-6.

As the third quarter came to an end, a desperation pass to the end zone came up positive for the Tartar’s. The Jacket defenders tipped the ball right back into the hands of a Taylorsville receiver laying on the ground, and a two point pass attempt brought Taylorsville as close as they would get, 45-14.

T-Rod once again went 38 yards on the next series as the Tartar defense concentrated on CJ’s power runs up the middle. Mancuso kick put the final touch on an unbelievable amazing game 51-14, final!

“Couldn’t be more proud of you going on the road and taking care of business. Because of what you do every day, that’s why you’re here. You have earned your right to play for the opportunity to go back to Jackson. It’s all about us. We will play a faceless opponent,” Mancuso praised the team after the game.

And the road continues, second verse same as the first, the sixty’s song said, only its not Henry the VIII were talking about.

East Marion, for the 3^rd time in as many years will be the opponent. East Marion taking game one in 2011, the Yellowjackets taking game two in 2012 during their perfect season, and now it’s on to game three. This time at Bassfield as was the case in 2011.

This year, the Jackets are the best 2A team in the state until someone proves otherwise. East Marion will have to spend the Thanksgiving Holidays to re-develop their entire game to have a chance to change the outcome from what it was the first time around this year. The talent of the Yellowjackets is far superior to any team the Jackets have played this year.

If there were to be chosen today a most improved player for the Jackets, it would not be a person, it would be an entire offensive line. Young and inexperienced in the beginning of the year, but matured and playing well beyond their years at the end of the season.

Thousands are expected for Friday night as the Jackets close out the home games at Willoughby Stadium for 2013. The coaches, and players alike, want and need your support-last step to Jackson, come witness history in the making.

By the numbers:

Taylorsville – 12 yards rushing second half, 105 total for the game.

Taylorsville – 33 yards passing second half, 76 yards total for the game.

Taylorsville – 5 for 22 passing with 2 interceptions.

T-Rod Daniels – 3 touchdowns with 140 yards rushing.

CJ Moore – 98 yards and 1 touchdown.

AJ Moore – 1 for 1 passing 10 yards 1 touchdown

Jackets – 118 yards in penalties, Tartars 40 yards in penalties.