The Jefferson Davis County Jaguars fell to 3 – 1 on the season after falling to the East Central Hornets this past Friday night in the community of Hurley.

Going into the game after an impressive performance last week against Wayne County, the Jags were ready to make a statement in Mississippi football for 2017.

The Hornets ran all night. Fifty-two carries for 253 yards along with eight pass completions for 114 yards.

This was the most yards given up by the Jags this season, and the most by a Mancuso coached team ever.

The Jaguars’ offense gave the ball to the Hornets at the one-yard-line, 30-yard-line, 35-yard-line and 28-yard-line; all of these were in the first half of the game.  All drives leading to scores, three touchdowns and a 45-yard field goal for a 24 point first half by East Central.

The Jags were without four starters on defense.

The Jags took the opening kickoff and drove straight down field for a 63-yard drive. The point after was good.

The defense put up a goal line stance and forced a turnover on downs on the Hornets first drive, stopping them at the three-yard line. Then it was all Hornets from that point, taking a Jags fumble at the one and scoring on their next three drives.

The Hornets’ time of possession became a major factor in the game as they controlled the game offensively 28:58 to 18:02 for the Jags. Again, most of the time variances were caused by turnovers by the Jags, early and often.

The Jags had a low of 91 yards rushing on 33 carries and only 76 yards passing.  Penalties were down but crucial when they did come.

A personal foul, twenty plus yards across the field and behind the play, cost the Jags a touchdown early in the third quarter.

The Jags’ star for 2017 to this point, Ronald Baker #6, had taken in a short pass at about the 26-yard line and proceeded to break several tackles going the distance, but all for naught due to the penalty.

The leading rusher for the Jags was Jahfries McKines with 66 yards and one touchdown.

The Jags are finally back home this week, as Jefferson Davis County High School will celebrate its first homecoming week.

The 5-A Natchez Bulldogs will come in to Willoughby Field touting a 3 – 0 record. The three victories came against 3A teams with a combined record of 4 – 8.

“Attitude during the week, regardless of last week, (you) must look forward, what you do today determines tomorrow.”

“You’ve been knocked down, but a true champion will get back up, look in the mirror, what are you?  This (game tonight) is what happens when you don’t prepare,” Coach Lance Mancuso told the team after Friday’s game.”

Game time is 7 p. m. Everyone come out and support the Jaguars.