With about three minutes left on the game clock, the plotting began.

As Meadowview coach Rick Jackson strayed on and back off the field directing his second team, the Trojan starters huddled behind him for one more play.

With under a minute left in the game, the Trojans struck. Unfortunately for Jackson, it was Meadowview’s worst execution of the night.

The bucket of ice-cold water slipped from the players’ hands and slammed the coach painfully in the back of the head. That victory play is one the Trojans haven’t had to run in Jackson’s two seasons as head coach, but after Friday night’s 44-7 win over Jefferson Christian Academy, maybe it’s one they should start practicing.

“We don’t want to give coach a concussion,” quarterback Chris Sewell said with a laugh.

Otherwise it was a nearly perfect night for the Trojans.

Kick-started by a thrilling return game, Meadowview scored early and often against an overmatched Eagles’ defense.

The 44-7 win is the program’s first since 2001 and Jackson’s first at the school after two winless seasons.

“That’s what it’s all about right there, ain’t it? Jackson asked as his team celebrated. “I’m so proud of them, it’s an emotional time. It’s been a long time coming. This is for the whole Meadowview family right here, this is for everybody.”

Running back Dustin Lee was a force of nature. He carried the ball 17 times for 211 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a touchdown catch called back on a clipping penalty.

“Our offense finally got together,” Lee said. “It feels good. This was the first time I ever ran the ball. I was normally a receiver. I’m just loving it. It’s great.”

The Trojans’ attack was far from a one-man show.

Sewell showed a deft touch, hitting three passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns.

Sewell also ran for 47 yards. Tyler Wendell had 21 yards and a touchdown on the ground and a 13-yard catch.

Wayne Humphries had 40 yards and a score. Blake Smith had a 31-yard touchdown catch and Landon Mehan made a pretty 18-yard TD grab.

Smith also was a terror in the return game, running over and around the Eagles on long punt and kick returns.

“The kicking game in both games has been pretty good,” Jackson said. “We got back to being real physical this week. It was a total team effort a lot of kids had some big games but it was a total team effort.”

There was a lot of joy on the Meadowview field afterward for a win for which Meadowview has been waiting a long time.

“It’s amazing,” Sewell said. “It’s unbelievable. I haven’t been out here like (Jason) Longcrier and Biggie (Ryan King)

have for the past two years, but we worked extremely hard.”

“I’ve got two players on this team that have been involved in one winning football game since the seventh grade, so a lot of them are winning their first game tonight,” Jackson said. “I just don’t know what all to say.

It’s so overwhelming, everybody played so well.”

The size of Meadowview’s win was even more surprising because they were missing one of their team leaders.

King, a senior guard and linebacker, missed the game with a fractured ankle.

“It’s a shame he couldn’t have been out here with us tonight for this big win,” Sewell said. ” Because this is our last year together and we’re all

tight.”

After sputtering on the opening drive, Meadowview gave Jefferson good field position at the MCS 48.

The Eagles could do nothing with it and punted the ball back,

Smith fielded the punt deep in his own territory and weaved up the home sideline to the Jefferson County 30-yard line.

Four plays later, Lee punched it home for a 6-0 MCS lead.

It didn’t take long for the Trojans to find pay dirt again.

After a three and out, the Eagles punted away from Smith and to Lee, who returned the ball to the JCA 31.

On first down, Sewell found Smith all alone behind the defense for a 31-yard TD strike that increased the lead to 12-0.

The Trojans then made one of their few mistakes on the night. On third and three, JCA quarterback Tyler Martin hit Sean Wood on a similar route to Smith’s touchdown a minute earlier.

Wood raced, untouched, down the sideline for a 58-yard score.

The extra point cut the lead to five, but that was as close as the Eagles could get.

Lee got another solid kick return, this time to the JCA 44 and the Trojans’ went back to work. After three plays moved the ball to the JCA 32, Lee found a seam on a counter play, busted outside and raced to the end zone for another MCS score.

The extra point try was blocked but MCS led 18-7.

The MCS defense continued to play well as Ryan Blackmon came through with a big sack and Ryan Stephens made some big hits as well.

Just before the first quarter ended, Smith fielded another punt and broke loose with a long return to the JCA 34.

Five plays later, Humphries crossed the goal line for a 6-yard TD run.

Wendell’s extra point made it 25-7.

The defense held again and Smith returned the punt about 40 yards to the JCA 7-yard line. Two plays later, Wendell punched it home for a 31-7 lead.

JCA fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Meadowview recovered at the 28.

From the 18, Sewell found Mehan in the corner of the end zone.

JCA had good coverage, but somehow, Sewell fitted the ball into Mehan’s arms and the receiver held on for the score.

Wendell’s PAT made it 38-7.

MCS added another score before the half as Sewell hit Lee on a short pass.

Lee turned it up field and raced to the end zone.

However, a pair of personal fouls brought the score back and moved the Trojans’ out of scoring range.

MCS added another touchdown in the third quarter as Lee scored on a pretty draw from 26 yards out.

He overpowered a tackler at the 5-yard line and stepped into the end zone to provide the final score.

All that was left to do was execute the sweetest play in Meadowview’s recent history, operation soak the coach.

“I think I got whiplash or something,” Jackson said, jokingly. “That was a shot to the back of the head.”

Meadowview will play Evangel next week on Thursday night.

The game will be played on Calvary Christian’s field in Montgomery.

As

sweet as Friday night’s win was, Jackson had already began planning for another one.

“Labor Day’s coming up and we’ve got a short week next week,” he said.