Jackson rallies to beat E-W

Published 11:51 pm Friday, September 26, 2008

EVERETT — With their star running back, Taylor Cox, sidelined with a sprained ankle, the Jackson Timberwolves spent a good portion of this week retooling their offense.

“There was a lot we had to teach,” Jackson coach Joel Vincent said.

Obviously Riley Carr and Andy Gay are fast learners.

The two juniors turned in stellar performances Friday night to lead the Timberwolves to a 29-25 come-from-behind win over Edmonds-Woodway in a Wesco South football game at Everett Memorial Stadium.

The victory, over a Warrior squad the division’s coaches picked to place first, improved Jackson’s record to 2-0 in division play, 3-1 overall. Edmonds-Woodway fell to 0-1, 2-2.

With Cox watching from the sidelines in street clothes, Carr, a running back, rushed for a team-best 95 yards and scored three touchdowns. His 13-yard TD run with 56 seconds remaining was the game’s decisive score. Most of Carr’s runs came on direct snaps from center

“That was completely new to him,” Vincent said of the adjustments Jackson made in Cox’s absence. “He had two days to learn that.”

Gay, Jackson’s quarterback, completed 11 of 17 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. His 69-yard scoring pass to John Wilde tied the score 22-22 with 8:51 left in the fourth quarter. He also completed a 30-yard pass to Jordan Kellington in the closing minutes to set up Carr’s game-winner.

“Andy Gay was masterful,” Vincent said. “

Carr’s winning touchdown came six plays after Edmonds-Woodway appeared to have the game won. On fourth-and-10 with just over two minutes remaining, Gay’s pass sailed out of bounds, apparently turning the ball over on downs. But the Warriors were flagged for a personal foul on the play, keeping the drive alive.

After trailing 14-6 at halftime, Edmonds-Woodway dominated much of the second half. The Warriors, behind the play of running back Tony Heard, quarterback Andy Willcock, wide receiver Din Kuses and kicker Sean Lindsey, outscored Jackson 16-0 through the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Willcock hooked up with Kuses for a 37-yard touchdown on the Warriors’ first possession of the second half.

The next time they got the ball, Lindsey kicked a 23-yard field to give E-W its first lead of the game, 15-14.

The Warriors added another touchdown on their next drive — a 15-yard scoring run by Heard, who finished with 139 yards rushing — and it looked like Jackson was finished.

But Gay hit Wilde in full stride for a 69-yard score. Carr added the two-point conversion, after squirming his way out of a hit in the backfield, and the game was tied 22-22.

Lindsey broke the tie with a field goal with 4:42 to play, setting the stage for Jackson’s dramatic rally.

“After the field goal, I told them ‘We are going to march the ball down the field and score,’” Vincent said.

And they did, giving their ailing coach at least some measure of relief.

“I have a headache to beat the band,” Vincent said. “But I’ve never had more fun.”

At Everett Memorial Stadium

E-W06910—25

Jackson77015—29

Jack—Carr 2 run (Sullivan kick)

E-W—Heard 2 run (kick failed)

Jack—Carr 8 pass from Gay (Sullivan kick)

E-W—Kuses 37 pass from Willcock (run failed)

E-W—Lindsey 23 field goal

E-W—Heard 15 run (Lindsey)

Jack—Wilde 67 pass from Gay (Carr run)

E-W—Lindsey 19 field goal

Jack—Carr 13 run (Sullivan kick)

Records—E-W 0-1 league, 2-2 overall. Jackson 3-1, 2-0.