Football Falls 52-49 at Morgan County in State Playoffs

Entering as a several touchdown underdog, the East Jackson Eagles put up their most impressive performance of the season Friday night in the first round of the Class AA state playoffs in Morgan County. 

The Eagles gave the Bulldogs (10-1) their hardest fight of the season, with Morgan County needing a game-winning field goal with just 15 seconds remaining to lift past the Eagles. 

East Jackson overcame an early 28-7 deficit in the second quarter to knot the game at 35-35 in the third quarter when Drew Richardson connected with Branturan Callahan on a 91-yard scoring strike. Morgan County took the lead two more times with East Jackson responding both times, until Morgan County took their final lead of the night on the game-winning field goal. 

East Jackson racked up 549 yards of offense in the win, while also forcing a 35-yard blocked punt returned for a score by Kole Smith. Richardson had 188 yards passing with his touchdown, while rushing for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Deston Mitchell led the team in rushing with 156 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Callahan hauled in a team-high five passes for 146 yards and the third-quarter score.

Defensively, Brooks Saunders recorded one interception and Aaron Blackmon was credited with blocking the third quarter punt.