Varnadore scores winning touchdown with 30 seconds remaining as Jeff Davis celebrates a hard-fought victory at home
The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets delivered a fourth-quarter comeback Friday night, October 23, scoring 14 unanswered points to defeat the Cook County Hornets, 21-14, at Yellow Jacket Stadium.
Trailing 14-7 late in the third quarter, the Jackets responded with two touchdown drives, capped by a nine-yard run from Braylon Varnadore with just 30 seconds remaining.
Jeff Davis relied on a powerful rushing attack throughout the contest, finishing with 266 yards on the ground and 282 yards of total offense.
Cook County opened the game with a lengthy possession, but the drive ended with a fumble, giving Jeff Davis an opportunity to strike first. The Jackets wasted little time.
After Garrison Coleman picked up 13 yards on the opening play of the possession, Jacob Laney broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run with 5:09 remaining in the first quarter.
The extra point gave Jeff Davis a 7-0 lead.
Cook answered on its next possession, putting together an eight-play, 69-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Nole Register finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left in the opening quarter.
The extra point tied the game at 7-7. Neither team scored in the second quarter, sending the teams into halftime tied.
The defensive battle continued into the second half.
Jeff Davis moved into scoring position during the third quarter, but a blocked field goal prevented the Jackets from taking the lead.
Cook capitalized, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run by Register with 23 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The extra point put the Hornets ahead 14-7. Register finished the game with both of Cook’s touchdowns, while the Hornets totaled 177 yards of offense.
Jeff Davis began its comeback on the ensuing possession. Starting at their own 38-yard line, the Jackets put together an eight-play, 62-yard drive, moving steadily downfield behind their rushing attack.
Coleman finished the possession with a five-yard touchdown run at the 9:36 mark of the fourth quarter. The extra point tied the game at 14-14.
The Jeff Davis defense then forced Cook to punt after a three-play possession that resulted in a loss of three yards.
With the ball back at their own 40-yard line, the Jackets began what would become the game-winning drive.
Jeff Davis methodically moved downfield on a 13-play, 60-yard drive, keeping the ball on the ground and converting key situations to maintain possession.
One of the most important plays came when Coleman gained three yards on fourth-and-two, extending the drive. Mark Durden, Laney, Coleman, and Varnadore each contributed rushing yards as the Jackets continued toward the end zone.
With just 30 seconds remaining, Varnadore broke through for a nine-yard touchdown run.
The extra point gave Jeff Davis its first lead since the opening quarter, 21-14.
Cook took possession with little time remaining, but the Hornets were unable to answer before the final whistle.
The Jackets had completed the comeback.
Jeff Davis controlled much of the game on the ground, rushing 45 times for 266 yards and all three touchdowns.
Garrison Coleman led the Jackets with 95 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown.
Jacob Laney added 88 yards on seven carries, including his 63-yard first-quarter touchdown.
Braylon Varnadore finished with 50 yards on eight carries and the game-winning touchdown.
Quarterback Mark Durden contributed 43 rushing yards on eight carries. He also completed two of four passes for 16 yards, connecting with Peyton Jones for nine yards and Jaiden West for seven.
Jeff Davis finished with 18 first downs, compared to 10 for Cook, and outgained the Hornets 282-177 in total offense.
The Jackets also protected the football, finishing without a lost fumble or interception.
For Cook, Nigel Kenney led the rushing attack with 49 yards, while Register completed eight of 12 passes for 70 yards.
Friday night’s victory was built on patience, execution, and a determined fourth-quarter effort. After falling behind late in the third quarter, Jeff Davis responded with two touchdown drives and a defensive stop that gave the offense an opportunity to secure the win.
The final possession was especially impressive, as the Jackets drove 60 yards in 13 plays and used more than seven minutes of game time before Varnadore’s winning touchdown.
The victory sends Jeff Davis forward with momentum as the regular season continues.
Congratulations to the Yellow Jackets and coaching staff on a hard-earned 21-14 victory!
When you’re wearing navy, you’re as good as gold!
