Jackson powers Bobcats past Pirates 20-13

Tim McGrath BCC Sports Writer

Senior running back Adrian Jackson powered the Medina Bobcat offensive effort with 163 yards rushing and three touchdowns as the Bobcats opened the 2012 season with a 20-13 victory over area rival Center Point Pirates. The non-district opener for both teams, played on Friday, August 31 at Medina, was exciting from the start until the finish as both teams fought hard and exchanged scores to keep the game within reach.

Jackson, however, proved too much for the Pirate defense in the final quarter when, with the Bobcats behind 13-12, he darted 17 yards for his third touchdown of the night and an 18-13 lead for Medina.

The Bobcat defense took over from that point and stifled the Pirates' offensive efforts the remainder of the contest.

The Bobcats made it 20-13 when Jackson knocked the ball loose from a Pirate ball carrier in the end zone that resulted in a safety and two points for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats scored first in the game when Jackson raced 34 yards for a first quarter touchdown. The PAT attempt failed but the Bobcats were on the scoreboard with a 6-0 lead.

The Pirates countered with a second period score before the Bobcats hit back on Jackson's second score of the night, this time from 25 yards out to give Medina a 12-6 lead at halftime.

The Pirates tacked on a third period touchdown and an extra point to take a 13-12 lead going into the final period.

The fourth period belonged to the Bobcats as the defense rose to the occasion while Jackson and the Bobcat offense tacked on the winning points in the 20-13 Bobcat victory. Bobcat senior quarterback JD Ortiz added fuel to the Medina offensive fire with 100 yards rushing on 22 carries while completing 5 of 15 passes for another 53 yards.

Mitchell Black led Medina receivers with 2 catches for 38 yards. Jackson had a pair of catches for 5 yards and Michael Baker had one reception for 10 yards for the Bobcats. Medina Head Coach Brandon Allen expressed great pride in the Bobcat effort while citing the physical play of the Bobcats in the fourth quarter as a key to the victory.

"I am really proud of the way we were able to come out and stop them by being very physical and disciplined against a well-coached team. They had a great game plan but our kids put out a big effort and we were able to stop their plays in the fourth quarter" Allen said.

The Bobcats continue play this week when they play host to the Menard Yellow Jackets on Friday, Sept. 7 at Bobcat Stadium in Medina. Allen hinted that the Bobcats might be looking at the Menard game with a little redemption in mind. The Yellow Jackets defeated the Bobcats 35-21 in last year's encounter at Medina.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.

On Sept. 14, the Bobcats will travel to Johnson City to take on the Eagles in their first away game of the new season.