Mid/Off Week Report
The Jay Royals are 4-0. Let that sink in for a moment…The Jay Royals’ football team is 4-0.
That in and of itself is worth celebrating. Jay has outscored their opponents thus far on the year 95-48. Only one of the games so far would be considered a blowout (see Franklin County 41-18). The other three have been close, hard-fought contests where Jay had to show grit and determination to come out on top. Again, 4-0 is a wonderful start for this program. In fact, the last Jay football team to start 4-0? The 2002 team. That year, Jay defeated Wewa, Apalachicola, Liberty County and Cottondale before losing their next game to Vernon on a questionable call at the end of the game.
So, 4-0 is a big deal.
However, when one of those wins is over rival Baker, who Jay has not beaten in 14 years, 4-0 becomes an even bigger deal. Jay went into “The Swamp” and won the War on Highway 4 last week at Baker, 14-3. Quarterback Hayden Morris went 7/13 for 85 yards on the night, throwing 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Brock Stout led the way on the ground for the Royals with 18 carries for 44 yards. Ethan Mcdonald had 3 receptions for 29 yards with a touchdown while Tucker Nowling added 28 yards on 2 receptions. Junior Ross Durst sealed the game with an interception with just over three minutes left to go.
With the win, the Royals are riding high into their open week.
“The kids are excited about the win and I’m happy for them…but it’s time to move on to the next week,” head football coach Brian Watson stated this week.
When asked about what did the 4-0 record mean to the program, Watson reiterated that the coaching staff is focusing on the here and now.
“We haven’t really talked about that much. This team is focused on the next game and the thing that’s better than 4-0, is 5-0!”
The next game is at Destin High School next Friday (9/29). The Sharks are also 4-0 and will likely be 5-0 when they play Jay as they host Lighthouse Private Christian this week.
Jay’s head coach said he’s excited about this week being an open week and the big game looming next Friday in Okaloosa County.
“Jay’s focus this week is getting healthy, working on fundamentals and getting a head start on Destin.”
What a great time to be a Royal.
