Jackson wears Farmington down with ferocious pace

Farmington receiver Sam Woodson (21) runs past Jackson safety Cole Geiser (13) for a 10-yard touchdown catch during second quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington. (Matt King, mking@dailyjournalonline.com)

FARMINGTON – New wrinkles have appeared each week within a Farmington offense that continues to obtain greater balance and diversity.

But the Knights were served another blueprint of an explosive and relentless attack by the longtime gold standard in the region on Friday night.

Class 6 program Jackson compiled more than 600 total yards in massive bunches, and used its superior tempo and roster depth to steadily pull away for a 63-38 victory.

Senior quarterback Adrian Fox completed 16-of-22 passes for 311 yards with precision and touch, and the Indians secured their 13th straight head-to-head win over the Knights.

Jaylon Hampton, a slippery and elusive freshman, also starred with 145 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries as Jackson (2-1, 1-0) operated briskly with no huddle.

Farmington junior Ian Zohner (12) kicks a 31-yard field goal during first quarter football action against Jackson on Friday night in Farmington.

Farmington (2-1, 0-1) saw its collective energy level deplete with several top performers playing on both sides of the ball, but not before producing five scoring drives in the first half.

Kaesen McClain ended with 117 yards on 25 attempts for the Knights, who conversely schooled Jackson on special teams in numerous instances to stay competitive.

Ian Zohner was perfect on three field goals of 32, 31 and 21 yards as result of Farmington stalling three separate possessions in the red zone before intermission.

Knights quarterback Brett Drye engineered a 95-yard march that included his 51-yard keeper. A smooth juke and 10-yard touchdown by Sam Woodson on a swing pass cut the margin to 35-24.

Fox answered with a 39-yard dart to Crowe with stellar protection from his linemen, and Hampton went the last 11 yards to score with 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Farmington defensive end Bryce Kathcart (59) sacks Jackson quarterback Adrian Fox (9) during second quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.

Farmington threatened a stop two plays earlier when defensive end Bryce Kathcart sacked Fox for the second time. But Crowe converted a resulting third-and-16 play for 26 yards on a crossing route.

Crowe tallied 183 yards on six receptions and 65 yards on three carries. Blayne Harris added 98 yards on four catches, and opened the scoring with a 63-yard touchdown grab down the left side.

The Indians got a key defensive stand to begin the third quarter, as linebacker Peyton Klund did not bite on a fake before stopping an inside reverse on fourth-and-5 from the 9.

That drive had been prolonged on a fake punt toss from Zohner to nearby protector Damian Cabrera for 27 yards, as Farmington willingly took unconventional chances throughout the game.

A 6-yard run by Zach Crump extended the Jackson lead to 56-24 after Fox sent another pinpoint throw across the field to Crowe for a gain of 18 along the sideline.

Jason Goodman added his third touchdown run from 11 yards out with 7:44 to play. Tatem Tinsley capped all scoring with an 18-yard keeper as the Farmington back-up QB.

The Knights appeared to be stopped on three plays during their opening series, but the ensuing punt touched the return man and was gathered by Tinsley on a bounce at the Jackson 27.

A 13-yard pass from Drye to Connor Rice moved the chains, but Farmington settled for three points following a tackle for loss by Gavin Guilliams, who later recovered a fumble.

Hampton set up his own 5-yard touchdown with a 44-yard scamper, but a 48-yard burst by McClain enabled the Knights to promptly answer.

Farmington quarterback Brett Drye throws a completed pass during second quarter action against Jackson on Friday night in Farmington.

Drye coaxed an offside penalty on the snap count while facing fourth-and-2 at the 5. His short keeper and two-point conversion by McClain made it 14-11.

Fox zipped an 80-yard scoring strike over the deep middle for Crowe two plays later, but Farmington again showed resiliency to salvage a modest retaliation.

Mason Probst blocked a punt following a sack by Kathcart, and Zohner made a chip shot at 21-14 before the Knights delivered another gem on special teams.

The ensuing kickoff by Zohner landed about 30 yards downfield by design. Tinsley was able to pounce on the ball before the scrambling Indians could locate it.

Farmington was on the verge of possibly tying the game when Gabe Giuliani caught a 23-yard pass at the 10. But a sack by Cole Foltz led to the third Zohner field goal.

Farmington linebacker Kaesen McClain (26) tackles Jackson running back Jaylon Hampton (7) as linebacker Gabe Giuliani (2) tries to strip the football during first quarter action on Friday in Farmington.

Hampton turned the left corner for a 40-yard touchdown within a couple of minutes, giving Jackson a 28-17 cushion that increased to 42-24 by halftime.

Drye was 14-of-22 passing for 169 yards, and rushed for 96 more on 13 carries. Giuliani was his leading target with six receptions for 62 yards – despite two early drops – and had a late 41-yard run.

Rice added a 44-yard catch for Farmington, which continues the SEMO North portion of its schedule on Friday at Sikeston.

Farmington safety Connor Rice tackles Jackson tight end David Wilburn after a reception during third quarter football action on Friday night in Farmington.