Mark Robinson rumbled for 157 yards and Lee County forced three turnovers as the Trojans held on 20-13 against Jones County in Game 2 of Day 1 of the MetroPCS Corky Kell Classic at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium.
Jones County entered the 2016 season with seniors Bradley Hunnicutt and Nick Singleton expected to light up the scoreboard as a potent pass-and-catch duo, but the Lee County defense was up to the challenge anchored by Akilies Leroy and AJC Super 11 selection and Michigan-commit, Aubrey Solomon. Leroy collected a team-high eight tackles from his linebacker position and forced and recovered a fumble on the Jones County 33-yard line with 7:51 remaining which led to an eventual 31-yard Dylan Brendel field goal to go up 20-6.
Defense dominated from the opening kick as the first quarter ended scoreless after Hunnicutt fumbled deep in Lee County territory, Justin Favors notched the recovered fumble. In the second quarter, Lee County fed Robinson and Giavonte Daniels to take the pressure off first-time starter, quarterback Jase Orndorff. Orndorff also got help from Drequan Garmon who hauled in a 24-yard catch and saw 15 more yards tacked on after a defenseless receiver penalty was called on Jones County. The very next play Daniels raced down the left sideline for an 18-yard score to take a 7-0 lead at the 8:54 mark.
Jones County saw a drive stall but quickly received a gift as the Greyhounds recovered a fumble after their punt hit an unsuspecting Trojan player at the 19-yard line. Once again, it was Lee County’s defense coming up big with Tory Carter scooping up a botched 4th-and-3 snap from the Lee County 3-yard line and taking it out to the 36.
Brendel added a 26-yard field late in second quarter to go ahead 10-0, but Josh Skinner answered with a 32-yard kick to get Jones County on the board heading into the half. Skinner tacked on a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter to send the Greyhounds into the fourth trailing 10-6.
In the fourth quarter, Robinson found the end zone from 5-yards out to go up 17-6 before Brendel connected on his second field goal of the night, a 31-yarder with 3:35 remaining to make it 20-6. Hunnicutt, who finished 20-of-32 for 271 yards and one touchdown, broke through for Jones County’s first score of the game, a 25-yard strike to Nick Singleton with 1:35 remaining. Singleton tallied 11 receptions for 197 yards while the Greyhound run game sputtered, finishing with -41 yards.
Jones County forced a three-and-out and had one last chance to tie the game, trailing 20-13 with 17 seconds left. Hunnicutt tossed a 6-yard pass to De’Queze Fryer who lateralled to Singleton for an extra 21 yards, setting the Greyhounds up at the Lee County 42 with five seconds left. Jones County tried to spike the ball after the long gain, but it was ruled that time expired before Hunnicutt could stop the clock.
Orndorff completed 14 of his 24 passes for 151 yards in his first career start. Lee County outgained Jones County 379 to 230 in total yardage.
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