The defense of the JDCHS Jaguars are leaps and bounds ahead of the offense, which in of itself, is not unusual for any team this time of year.

Given the circumstances of the Friday night game against longtime rival, the Collins Tigers, the Jags’ team can be truly grateful that they are.

With a total of nine fumbles, one for a Collins defensive touchdown, another for a Collins safety, another that cost the offense a two-point conversion, and the last five drives of the night all ending with a fumble.

An all-out effort by the offense resulted in an early Collins lead, and a 16 point comeback in the fourth quarter.

Once again the Jaguars’ offense found itself in a hole early by putting the ball on the ground.  Overcoming two 15-yard penalties in the first drive, the Jags defense forced a turnover on downs at the 27-yard line.

The offense went to work driving all the way to the Tigers 17-yard line on their opening drive, looking to make a statement and make for a long night for Collins.  That soon turned as Lyric Hall did not handle the snap.

After bouncing all over the field, a Tiger picked up the ball and 74 yards later, touchdown Tigers. The PAT was no good and the Jags trailed 0 – 6.

The Jags punted and the Jags defense intercepted a Tiger pass, Jags’ Frank McAfee did not handle a pitch, giving the Tigers the ball right back.

The Jags’ defense stepped up. The Tigers punted, the Jags punted, the Tigers punted, the Jags offense put together a 14 play drive that ate up 7:16 off the clock, then scored a two-point PAT and led 8 – 6 with 1:05 left in the half.

The half ended with a Collins punt.

Taking the ball on the opening drive of the second half, the Jaguars took only three plays to go 60 yards as Jafharis McKines went 56 of those yards on one run before being caught from behind and tackled at the four-yard line.  Two plays later Demazie Mikell scored the second touchdown of the evening. Another fumble and the two-point conversion was left rolling on the ground.

The Jags’ lead was now 14 – 6.

The Jags’ defense returned the favor to the Tigers, as James Washington took in an errant pass and went 20 yards for a Jags touchdown. PAT was no good, Jaguars 20 – 6.

The Jags’ defense, having had a chance to get rest since the last drive of the first half, put the Collins offense back to the bench after three passes.

The Jags’ offense put together another good drive, from the 50-yard line to the one-yard line in nine plays, but fell short on fourth down turning the ball over on downs at the one.

One play on offense by the Tigers and the Jags had a safety. The Jags were in control 22 – 6.

At this point in the game, both the Jaguars and Collins offense and the offense of Collins drives were filled with mistakes and miscues.

With a 16 point lead, the offense of the Jaguars was stopped on each of the next seven drives by themselves.

Not able to move the ball, two three-and-outs lead to punts.

Penalties by the Jags and a wide-open Tiger receiver quickly cut the lead to 22-12 after a 32 yard pass completion.  The PAT was no good.

Once again, penalties, a sack and the first of five consecutive fumbles gave Collins the ball right back at the Jags eight-yard line.  Even after the defense did its’ job and held Collins out of the end zone, the Jags offense fumbled again, this time for a safety.

Bassfield’s lead dwindling, now 22 – 14.

After the free kick by the Jags, Toddrick Reese stepped in front of a Collins pass attempt, giving the Jags offense the ball back with the opportunity to close this one down.

Collins defense still had fight left in them as they stripped the ball away again for the third consecutive series. The Jags defense, controlling this game from the start, pulled off another stop as the clock was winding down.

For the fourth drive in a row, Demazie Mikell put the ball back on the ground for his second fumble in a row and the night.

The Collins Tigers could feel the momentum swinging totally their way and a quick 22-yard pass and the game was a two-point conversion from a tie.

Once again with the game on the line the Jags defense stepped up to the task stopping the conversion. The Jags lead down to two points with 1:05 to play.

Looking to close this one out, the Jags’ offense took the field again.

For the fifth drive in a row after two plays again, the Jags put the ball on the ground and Collins once again recovered.

The last chance to pull off an upset and give the Jaguars first ever game at home as a loss, the Collins Tigers did what they had done all night. Back to the pass.

Completing two of three passes in a row and moving the ball to the 14-yard line, one more run and the clock stopped with five seconds as the runner hit the sideline.  A deep ball, but overthrown and the Jags hold on to victory, all thanks to a defense ready to play.  Jaguars win 22 – 20.

“This is not who you are. All the work all summer. Look in the mirror this weekend and decide who you are and want to be,” Coach Mancuso told his team after the game.

“Hats off to the defense, (the offense) put you in bad situations over and over, giving them one last chance at the end, but you held on. All week no focus, it’s a process, (you) must understand your role.

“A bad win is better than a pretty loss.”

The Jags’ next opponent is  the Wayne County War Eagles, who are coming off a loss to Oak Grove 42 – 3.

Winners in the division this week were:  Seminary (2-0) and Columbia (2-0), losers were Tylertown (0-2), Wesson (1-1) and West Marion (0-2).