Prep football: Local, area teams go 6-0 on opening week; Tribe collar No. 3-ranked Bulldogs

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Carter McCown, a sophomore, is pictured during Jacksonville 34-30 upset over Carthage Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. McCown, making his first varsity start, threw for four touchdowns and 325 yards to pace the Tribe's effort. McCown Photo courtesy of Wolf Whitaker/www.wolfphotos.net

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September 4, 2012

Prep football: Local, area teams go 6-0 on opening week; Tribe collar No. 3-ranked Bulldogs

Jay Neal Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Tue Sep 04, 2012, 08:08 AM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — Perfection is often extremely difficulty to achieve, but that's exactly what Cherokee County and southern Smith County high school football teams did in Week 0 action.

In one of East Texas' biggest shockers, the Jacksonville Fight'n Indians upset the No. 3-ranked Bulldogs of Carthage in the Dawgs' own backyard as the Tribe earned a 34-30 come-from-behind win.

The victory was significant in an litany of ways — it came on a night when Chris Taber was coaching the Tribe for the first time and it was achieved in sophomore Carter McCown's first varsity start at quarterback.

Oh, and what an evening it was for McCown.

He passed for 325 yards and four touchdowns, including the game winner to Darrell Minifee that came with 40 seconds to go in the game.

Minifee was the top pass catcher for the Indians, hauling in seven balls for 113 yards, including the 11-yard shag that broke the Dawgs' back and spoiled the opener for the Carthage faithful.

The win was Jacksonville's first over Carthage since 2001 and was the Tribe's first win on opening night since 2006.

According to historical information provided by Matt Montgomery, Taber is the first coach in the history of Jacksonville High School to win in his debut. Note: records go back as far as 1932.

So, it can now be said that the Tribe's victory Friday was not only a thrilling one, but a historical one as well.

Down at Eagle Stadium in Rusk, the Red and Black didn't seem to care that a Class 4A team was invading their home grounds as the Eagles coasted to a 47-8 decision over the Terrell.

Rusk's offense was firing on all cylinders as the Birds exploded for 28-unanswered points in the second quarter to take the suspense out of the affair early on.

The Eagle defense came very close to pitching a shutout against Terrell, but the Tigers managed a late score against the Rusk reserves that spoiled the Eagles' shutout bid.

Quitman proved to be no match for the Bullard Panthers, for the second year in-a-row.

On a night where Panther head coach Shannon Wilson emptied the bench early, it was Bullard who blasted the Bulldogs, 58-6.

Quarterback Colton Mebane went 13-of-15 for 225 yards and three touchdowns (no interceptions) in the game.

Eight Panthers were used at running back, with Brentavian Henderson leading the way with 48 yards on eight trips.

Houston Alexander scored two rushing touchdowns, with Henderson, Conner Mebane and Austin Skelton adding one each.

Haden Bryant led the Panthers in the receiving department by catching six passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Brook Hill flogged Frankston 34-0 on Thursday night to get things started.

The Guard offense, led by quarterback Will Weathers who passed for two scores and ran for another, rolled up 440 total yard on the Indians, while the Brook Hill defenders limited Frankston to just 126 total yards in claiming the shutout win.

Troup saved its best for last in scoring twice inside of the last 180 seconds to rally for a 27-20 win over Quinlan-Ford.

The win came in head coach Dennis Alexander's first game as mentor of the Maroons.

Tiger quarterback Blake Lynch peeled off a 44-yard run with 2:57 to go in the game to set the stage for Seth Gibson's game-winning scamper that covered 72 yards and took place with 1:23 showing on the clock.

Gipson carried 12 times for 125 yards.

And finally, it was Alto that came away with a 48-21 verdict over Elkhart in a high scoring affair that was played in Elkhart.

The 'Jackets, who are ranked in the top 15 in the state in the Class 1A preseason poll, rushed for a total of 325 yards in that game against the outmanned Elks.

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Prep football: Local, area teams go 6-0 on opening week; Tribe collar No. 3-ranked Bulldogs

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