MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Jeff Davis Volunteers used a second half shutout by the defense to go on to defeat Prattville 31-14 Thursday night at the Cramton Bowl. With the win, Jeff Davis clinches the final playoff spot in Class 7A, Region 2 and eliminates Prattville from the playoffs.
Jeff Davis (5-4, 3-2) led 21-14 at the half and outscored Prattville 10-0 to go on for the big region win by the Volunteers. "We fought to the end and really challenged our team before the game," said Volunteers Head coach Lee Carter. "I just told them to keep fighting between the highs and lows just to keep fighting.
Prattville (3-4, 2-3) scored first in the game. With 10:00 left in the first quarter, Tra Edwards found Malik Smith on a 24-yard touchdown play for the Lions. With the extra point, Prattville led 7-0 early in the game. Jeff Davis came right back to score when Morgan Dorsey took the ball and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 8:30 left in the first quarter. With the Volunteers touchdown and Juan Ocana extra point and the game was tied at 7-7.
With Prattville driving, Jonathan Struggs picks off a Lions pass at the Volunteers 20-yard line and returns it to midfield to set up the Jeff Davis offense. A few plays later for the Volunteers, Dorsey scored on a 37-yard touchdown run off left tackle and Jeff Davis took a 14-7 lead midway through the first quarter. Dorsey had 117 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns on the night.
With Jeff Davis driving, the Lions get a big turnover on a Brandon Butts interception on the Lions 17-yard line. Prattville could not do anything with the football and had to punt the ball back to Jeff Davis. With 4:53 left in the second quarter, Jaquan Williams scores on a 1-yard QB sneak. With the Volunteers score, Jeff Davis led 21-7 late in the second half. "We had a lot of preparation for this game," said Vols QB Williams. "We worked hard in the weight room and watching film. We had a chance to get our ticket for the playoffs so we really worked hard for the win. The offensive line has worked hard along with the receivers and I just wanted to spread the ball around tonight."
Prattville took the kickoff and Edwards took the ball down the field for the Lions. Edwards had three big runs to put the Lions in scoring position. With just :58 seconds left in the half, Edwards scored on a 2-yard touchdown run and cut the Volunteers lead to 21-14 at the half. For the game, Edwards completed 16-of-25 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Edwards had 161 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Edwards had 392 total yards but the two turnovers hurt the Lions chances when they were driving deep into the Vols territory.
In the second half, Jeff Davis had a great drive going but is stalled deep in Lions territory. With a 4th and 6 at the Lions 14-yard line, Prattville was whistled for being offsides that took the ball at the Lions 9-yard line and now a 4th and one, but the Volunteers decided to go for the field goal attempt and Ocana kicked a 26-yard field goal to put Jeff Davis up 24-14 with 6:24 left in the third quarter. Ocana owns a 42-yard field goal, his career best.
With 9:08 left in the fourth quarter, Williams scored his second touchdown on the night on a 1-yard QB sneak and the Volunteers led 31-14 early in the fourth quarter. Jeff Davis took the ball and drove down the field after the kickoff but Marcus Webb picked off a Lions pass to keep the Volunteers second half shutout in tact. "We played hard and we played focused, we did what we needed to do to win the game," said Volunteers defensive back Jonathan Struggs. "This win means a lot to us with a lot of hard work in the spring and summer workouts. We just want to keep this going." Struggs led the Vols defense with eight tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.
Williams completed 16-of-23 passes for 271 yards and an interception. Williams had 68 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns on the ground. "Jaquan is playing at a high level for us right now," added Carter. "You know he has two quarterback coaches so he should. We have Tarvaris Jackson who played in the NFL that is helping him every step of the way. It is good to have him with Ronald Adams and both are doing a great job for us."
Up next, Jeff Davis plays Auburn next Thursday while Prattville will travel to Central-Phenix City next Friday in two area games.
