Sports
Jacks soar past Comets
Tyler Ohmann
10/22/2013
Mayville State JV did not pose much of a threat to Dakota College at Bottineau’s (DCB) winning streak in last Friday’s game.
In fact the Jacks earned their first shutout with a 45-0 clobbering of the Comets in front of the home crowd.
Sophomore Jonathan Parks kicked off the scoring for DCB as he made some nifty moves enroute to a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown after the Comets’ first drive stalled.
The Jacks would score three more times in the first half, but it was the defense that helped them get good field position and forced several punts.
DCB’s defense stepped up big time in the contest as they had 13 tackles for a loss in the contest and held the Comets offense to 212 total yards.
“Our whole line played well, my twin brother (Jabrel Anderson), Armando (Ortiz) and Desmond (Goodlow-Griffin) up front we played as a unit, getting pressure and a couple of turnovers,” said sophomore defensive end Jamarr Anderson.
The offense wasn’t anything to scoff at for DCB either as they compiled 389 yards on the day, including 307 on the ground.
“The offense had a good night running the ball and only had one turnover. We were also able to eliminate some of the penalties that had been killing us,” stated Jacks head coach Tim Pfeifer. “We still have a ways to go, but if we can keep making some improvements that should help our offense.”
Sophomore Jeremy Hill led the way for the Jacks with 124 yards on five carries, including three touchdowns, one that went 51 yards.
“I was following my block,” Hill said about the three scores. “(They) were opening them up and I was just busting them, that was about it.”
Hill, who got some time in the game behind starter Jamarr Patterson (six carries 35 yards) was glad to have gotten the carries.
“It was great. It was wonderful,” Hill said. “It’s part of football, you got to get how you live.”
The Jacks added three more scores in the second half as Willie Fair came in at quarterback and rushed six times for 68 yards, including a score.
The defense also made their presence known in the second half as they continually were in the Comets backfield, pressuring the quarterback and the running game. They forced two turnovers in the game, a fumble and an interception.
Michael Hatcher forced the fumble and Kaelin Mozee gathered in the interception in the first quarter.
“It meant a lot, because we came together as a team,” Jamarr Anderson said. “It felt felt good, and to improve the record to 7-1 in Bottineau, we did good this week.”
Jamarr Anderson finished with three tackles, and a handful of quarterback hurries and hits.
Fellow lineman Goodlow-Griffin finished with seven total tackles, a sack and 3.5 tackles for a loss.
Pfeifer thought the defense did a good job, but lost some intensity as the game wore on.
“The defense had a pretty solid night. We were able to keep them out of the end zone which is always a good thing,” Pfeifer stated. “I thought we started out really well and then kind of leveled out. We had some chances to make some key stops and plays, but we were not as sharp as we have been lately.”
Hill is excited that the Jacks have been able to win so much this season.
“It’s the first time since I left Florida to have a winning season like this, and it’s awesome,” Hill said.
DCB plays their next game at home as they host North Dakota State College of Science at 1 p.m. on Nov. 2. It will be their final home game of the season.
Both Jamarr Anderson and Hill had advice for their respective sides of the ball on how to keep the win streak rolling.
“We just have to stay sound and disciplined,” Jamarr Anderson said about the defense. “Mental mistakes, you have to cut them down and play as a team.”
“When we come together, you see what can happen, we shut them out,” Anderson added.
On the offensive side, Hill said the Jacks just need to have a strong strategy.
“We just need to keep punishing them, pushing the ball down the field,” Hill said. “If you do that, something will open up for a pass. It’s strategy baby.”
The Jacks are currently 7-1 and on a six game winning streak, they haven’t lost since the second game of the season against a tough Iowa Central team 66-19.