Derek W. Devine
JTV Sports
Jackson, MI
The 2nd Annual Promise Bowl, which is not only a battle between rivals Jackson High and Lumen Christi, but an event to raise scholarship money for many students, kicked off on a warm Friday evening in front of a packed house at Dungy Field. It was a night where only two things were shining brighter then the first quarter sun; Vikings quarterback Javon Greca’s cleats, and the Titans offense.
Lumen Christi, the heavy favorite, has dominated the rivalry overall, and won the last 5 meetings by an average of 25 points per contest.
However, new head Coach Scott Farley, and the Jackson Vikings were not going back down to the mighty Titans. Avoiding mistakes, and matching possessions with the powerhouse opponent were a must in order to keep the game manageable.
Lumen got off to a hot start, with a quick stop, and an even quicker score when Khari Willis ran in for a touchdown. A slick onside kick got the Titans the ball back, and with less then half the field to work with, Willis and the Titans struck again, making it a 14-0 ball game. Willis ended the night with 114 rushing yards.
Jackson High had a few early 1st quarter sparks, but most of them were offset by penalties that could have been avoided. On their second possession the Vikings got within 4 yards of the goal line, but worked backwards because of an illegal procedure call, and couldn’t convert. They did turn up the defense after giving up the ball, and forced a Lumen Christi punt. On an exciting west-to-east return, Corey Pryor took the football to the house. However, the fantastic touchdown was wiped away because of a block-in-the-back penalty. After a 22-yard Isaac Coppage run, Jackson High was able to convert on a broken play, pitch and catch touchdown from Javon Greca to Alex Carter. Ray Robinson then ran the ball in for a 2-point conversion off of a reverse, and Jackson High was only down 6. Coppage boasted 77 yards on the ground, and Greca completed 6 out of 8 passes for 30 yards and a score.
Just as quickly as the Vikings found themselves back in the game, they were then down 28-8 at the half after two big Matt Bullinger touchdown receptions from quarterback Coley Crowley, who converted on all 3 pass attempts for a total 57 yards.
The Titans kept the offense rolling in the second half as Crowley snuck in for a score, and Devon Barrett, the JTV Sports player of the game, busted free on a 60-yard touchdown to start the fourth quarter. Barrett lead all rushers with 152 yards on the ground.
On the ensuing kickoff, Pryor again returned the ball to the house for a Viking touchdown, and this time it stood as six points. In the end it wasn’t enough, as time ran out, and Lumen Christi won convincingly over Jackson High, 43-14.
Lumen Christi improved to 2-0 on the season, and will face off with Western next week. Jackson High falls to 0-2, and will travel to East Lansing for their next contest.