Jones Senior’s Evan Andrews finds running room during Tuesday’s game with North Duplin. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

TRENTON — Jones Senior is getting better each game.

While the scoreboard didn’t show it as prominently with North Duplin picking up a 48-6 victory Tuesday, Rebels coach Hugh Martin said the team showcased some flashes throughout the contest.

“(Evan Andrews) was a load to bring down,” Martin said. “They have a couple players out there with speed and (Coach Tyler Hale) is doing a great job of putting players in good positions to utilize it.”

North Duplin (3-2) was still able to score touchdowns on all seven of its drives, taking a 35-0 lead into halftime and setting up the running clock on the opening drive of the third with a 7-yard run from Saul Mendoza. Defensively, the Rebels held the Trojans (0-5) to 77 yards one week after falling 41-32 to Chocowinity Southside.

“I’m pleased that we executed better defensively from last week, and we were able to do a lot of different things,” Martin said. “Offensively, we had a few plays that were longer than usual — we were able to get out on the edge more and gain more yards.”

Hale said he had nothing but respect for North Duplin.

“North Duplin is a very disciplined, well-coached team,” Hale said. “I’m impressed with the way they came out and played from the starters to the guys who came out at the end.

Jones Senior didn’t quit in the second half, first blocking an extra point late in the third quarter before capitalizing on a North Duplin fumble early in the fourth. The Trojans went on a 9-play, 44-yard drive, highlighted by a 17-yard run from Tyquan Murphy to get the ball to the Rebels 2 before Andrews punched it in.

Martin spoke to the Trojans after the game, praising the team’s passion and intangibles. Hale said he appreciated the gesture and hopes there are stronger showings from Jones Senior as the season progresses.

“It’s nice when coaches come in and tell us they’re seeing the impact and how we’ve been more disciplined than in previous years, but hopefully the scoreboard will show that in the future.”

Jones Senior will host Pinetown Northside Friday for its third game in eight days. Meanwhile, North Duplin’s next game is against Spring Creek at home Oct. 4.

North Duplin 48, Jones Senior 6

ND          14           21           13           0 — 48 

JS            0              0              0              6 — 6

First Quarter

ND — Luis Olivos 9 run (Saul Mendoza kick), 8:11

ND — Olivos 19 run (Mendoza kick), 2:48

Second Quarter

ND — Gage Outlaw 3 run (Mendoza kick), 8:10

ND — Mendoza 35 run (Mendoza kick), 4:57

ND — Outlaw 3 run (Mendoza kick), 1:13

Third Quarter

ND — Mendoza 7 run (Mendoza kick), 9:45  

ND — Luis Rubio 12 run (kick blocked), 1:06

Fourth Quarter

JS — Evan Andrews 2 run (run failed), 0:37

                                ND          JS

First Downs        13           6

Rushes-yards     25-239   33-53

Passing                 1-2-0      2-4-0

Passing yards     38           24

Total yards          277         77

Punts-avg.          0-0.0      4-16.3

Penalties             2-13       2-10

Fumbles-lost      1-1          4-2

Individual statistics

RUSHING — North Duplin: Luis Olivos 9-102, Saul Mendoza 6-51, Gage Outlaw 4-35, D.J. Simmons 3-20, Kyle Figueroa 2-19, Luis Rubio 1-12. Jones Senior: Kelvonte Murrell 12-30, Evan Andrews 15-28, Tyquan Murphy 2-14, Elijah Fowler 2-12, Derek Taylor 1-minus 13, TEAM 1-minus 18.

PASSING—North Duplin: Outlaw 1-2-0, 38. Jones Senior: Andrews 2-4-0, 24

RECEIVING—North Duplin: Simmons 1-38. Jones Senior: Murphy 2-24