Jacksonville High School - Red Devil Yearbook (Jacksonville, AR)

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Devils show strong Sylvan Hills The jacksonville Red Devils opened their 1975 football season against Sylvan Hills on September 5. Sylvan Hills scored in the second quarter, and held on to win the game 9-0. The first score of the game was set up by a costly turnover, early in the second period of play. A pass from Devil quarter- back jerry Gordon was picked off by Bear defender Glen Cope on the Sylvan Hills 27. The Bears initiated a drive deep into Red Devil territory. With a first down on the Devil four yard line, the jacksonville defense mounted an exciting goal-line stand. With the pressure on, Bears halfback Russell was held with small yardage. The next play called off a quarterback sneak, but the Devils stopped the Bears cold. jacksonville was penalized the following play, giving the Bears a third and one situation. Ripe for a touchdown, it was Sylvan Hills' turn to be penalized, a five yarder. With third and six, running back David Hill got the call, but jacksonville threw him for a timely four- yard loss. With three minutes left in the half, Sylvan Hills put the ball through the up- rights for a 3-0 lead. Another turnover, also setting up a Sylvan Hills score, occurred as the Devils began a post-kickoff drive from their eight yard line. The offense moved the ball down to their 28, but with third and li, jerry Gordon was mobbed by Bears as he attempted to pass, and Sylvan Hills recov- ered the resulting fumble on the Devil 16. defense The Bears drive ended when Russell dived over the goal from the three. The point after was no good, and the Bears led by a score of 9-0 with 2:36 left in the half. The second half was scoreless, with jack- sonville fumbles ending any chances for a Red Devil score. jacksonville's Matt Henry was the leading runner in the game, with eleven carries for 89 yards. jacksonville's defense showed it could play well in any situation and that it could also play well under pressure. Hot Springs jacksonville's second game of the season ended in disappointment as the Trojans of Hot Springs came from behind to win a close one 10-9. From the very start the game was domi- nated by a very tough Red Devil defense. In fContinued on Page lllj 1. joe Holcomb attempts another field goal as a Texarkana defender puts up a futile effort to block it. 2. Eddie jackson heads to the sideline on a kickoff return as a Devil executes a block on a Russellville defender. es: ff - . 1 if -gag s? ual? N - 7 '?-, ' 110 FO0Ib2lll

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lContinued from Page 110j the first quarter action, good defense was shown by both teams. Late in the period a 49-yard jacksonville drive was stopped at the 19, where joe Holcomb attempted a field goal. The try was good, and the Devils were out in front in the closing seconds of the first quarter. In the second quarter the Trojans had possession of the ball far into jacksonville territory through a Devil fum- ble, but the jacksonville defense held, and at half-time the score was 3-0 jacksonville. Hot Springs returned after the half with another drive, but once again a strong Devil defense put an end to the drive on the eight. The teams exchanged punts, and the Red Devils took over on the frojan 49. On the first play, Matt Henry broke upfield and ran for a 49 yard touchdown. The extra point was no-good because of a missed snap, and jacksonville kicked off to Hot Springs with a nine point lead. On the Trojans next possession, a freak play occurred which gave them their first score. Quarterback Dennis Smith passed to Nelson Thompson on a third and nine situ- . 'Hi S ' ii ' 11' H 'wt 1 4 'mv 1 1 . 951' .1 -,,fJ'X.2.i: gs ws- -e- .1 fs ww f .ae , H -h tm... 1 'ff if , ation on their own 15. Thompson fought to the 50, where the ball was fumbled. But a Trojan guard picked up the ball and made his way in for a touchdown. The point after was good, and the score was 9-7 jacksonville. In the final quarter jacksonville could not get a drive started, but the Devil defense held for four downs early in the quarter in a Trojan first and goal situation. Punts were exchanged, as neither team was able to mount a drive. As time was running out, Hot Springs blocked a Devil punt and took over the ball on the jack- sonville 27. On third and four, Smith again connected with Thompson on a pass, and the Trojans threatened on the Devil's four yard line. Hot Springs decided on the field goal, and the attempt was good, giving them a one point edge over jacksonville. After receiving the following kick, the Devils tried two pass plays which left no more time on the clock. Helena The Red Devils of jacksonville High brought home their first victory of the season as the Devils soundly defeated the Helena Cougars 26 to 0 on September 19. On the first play from scrimmage, Tony Tademy scrambled 34 yards to the Cougar 39. With jerry Gordon at quarterback, Tademy, Henry, and Fortson alternately carried the ball, and jacksonville scored its first touchdown in seven plays and 68 yards rushing. The point- after was good by joe Holcomb, and Helena received the kick. The Cougars failed to move the ball through fumbles, and were forced to punt. The Devil offense took over, but lost the ball on a fumble at the Cougar 20, Later Helena was again forced to punt, and the Devils again took over on the Cougar 44 yard line. After a five yard gain by Tademy, Fortson caught a 10 yard pass to the 29. Carrying on the next four plays, Fortson plunged over for a touchdown from the two yard line. The PAT was no good, and jacksonville led 13-0 at the half. The Cougar's only strong drive came in the second half when they moved down to the Devil eight. The drive ended when Anthony Steels intercepted a Cougar pass and ran it back 50 yards. As the Devil offense took over, rain began to fall, and with only 40 seconds gone in the fourth quarter, Fortson scored his third touch- down amid the pouring rain. Helena received the kick and after five minutes, the Devils recovered a fumble on the 25. Gordon hit Ken Temply for 20 yards, and two plays later Tademv carried it across for six more Devil points. The extra point by Holcomb was good. Helena then again failed to move the ball, and punted to jacksonville with 58 seconds left, giving the Devils a 26-0 victory. Mills On September 25 jacksonville met and defeated the Comets of Little Rock Mills, giving The Devils an even record of two wins and two losses. lContinued on Page 112j 1. Devil Coach Van Hoose watches as the offense runs a play called from the box. 2. The Devil defense stacks up another Conway back at the line. ln on the tackle are Anthony Steels, Ray Cardwell, and Rocky Mantooth. Football 1 11