Youth football roundup: Unbeaten Jr. Dolphins shut out Jr. Raiders
Published 8:21 pm Monday, November 2, 2015
By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal
The Jr. Dolphins of the 5-6 year old Selma youth football league haven’t struggled too much on their way to a 7-0 start to the season. On Monday, the Jr. Dolphins once again won a game by multiple touchdowns, a feat they are making look easy despite having a roster made up of a majority of football first-timers.
Omari Smith has been scoring touchdowns for the Jr. Dolphins all season, and Monday was no different. Smith scored twice, and the Jr. Dolphins’ defense again played its part as the Jr. Dolphins stayed undefeated on the season to beat the Jr. Raiders 20-0 at Memorial Stadium.
“Our defense, that’s really our strong point,” said Jr. Dolphins coach J’Vantae Furlow. “We can score on offense. I know if we can score one time, our defense, they can stop them.”
The Jr. Raiders got off to a strong start, forcing a Smith fumble on just the second play of the game. The Jr. Dolphins forced a three-and-out after the Jr. Raiders’ Jamarion Jones wasn’t able to find space to break open a big run.
“He’s primarily our main back so I always try to get him going if I can, but tonight we just couldn’t,” said Jr. Raiders coach Adrian McGee.
Quamarian Pernell scored the first touchdown for the Jr. Dolphins in the first quarter, running right end for 22 yards. Smith got the handoff for the two-point conversion and bounced off defenders as he weaved his way into the end zone.
The Jr. Dolphins led 8-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Jr. Dolphins quickly got the ball back after the Jr. Raiders’ next possession stalled. Smith ran around the left end, juking tacklers for a 26-yard touchdown to give the Jr. Dolphins a 14-0 lead at halftime.
“They’re defense is vicious,” McGee said. “That’s the heart and soul of their team.”
Jones had a few big runs to open the second half, but the Jr. Dolphins ultimately forced the Jr. Raiders to turn the ball over on downs. Smith put an exclamation point on the game with a 30-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Despite the loss, McGee saw improvement in his young team.
“We played good,” McGee said. “They fought until the end of that game.”
Both teams are comprised of a majority of players who are new to the game of football. Furlow said he believes his team is learning more and more of the fundamentals of the game each week.
“Now, they’re getting the concept of football, so they understand the game now,” Furlow said.
The game marked the third win for the Jr. Dolphins over the Jr. Raiders in the season. In the previous two meetings, the Jr. Dolphins won 24-0 and 22-6.
The Jr. Dolphins end their regular season against the Jr. Bears Saturday as they aim for an undefeated record. The Jr. Raiders play the Jr. Cowboys Saturday.
Oct. 28
Packers 14, Lions 6
Jalen Prince scored on touchdowns of 11 and 34 yards to give the Packers a 14-6 edge over the Lions. Prince scored his first touchdown in the first quarter and JoDarius Hamilton added the two-point conversion to give the Packers an 8-0 lead. Derick Smith gave the Lions their lone touchdown of the game in the second quarter on an 85-yard run. Prince added a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Dolphins 14, Broncos 8
The Dolphins scored two first-half touchdowns to snag a 14-8 win over the Broncos. Michael Lawson gave the Dolphins their first touchdown with a 23-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Jason Rogers scored a 30-yard touchdown and Tyrell Woods added a two-point conversion for the Broncos. Jayln Jones scored a 22-yard touchdown and Lawson punched in the two-point conversion for the Dolphins.
49ers 8, Jets 0
The 49ers got on the board early and their defense helped out as they shutout the Jets 8-0. Kendarrious Watts scored an 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter for the 49ers and added the two-point conversion.
Oct. 29
Jr. Bears 16, Jr. Cowboys 6
Keithey Frye scored two second quarter touchdowns to give the Jr. Bears a 16-6 victory over the Jr. Cowboys. Frye ran in two touchdowns of 14 and 11 yards and added two two-point conversions for the Jr. Bears. Jacobie Reese also scored a 5-yard touchdown for the Jr. Cowboys in the second quarter.
Jr. Seahawks 14, Jr. Rams 12
The Jr. Seahawks scored two first-half touchdowns to beat the Jr. Rams 14-12. Javon Richardson scored on an 80-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Fabyous Robinson scored on a 22-yard touchdown for the Jr. Seahawks and Richardson added the two-point conversion. Jakavion Jackson scored on a 63-yard touchdown in the second quarter for the Jr. Rams. Crishun King also scored for the Jr. Rams on an 18-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Bengals 16, Pee Wee Bobcats 0
O’Darius Walker scored two second half touchdowns to lead the Bengals past the Pee Wee Bobcats 16-0. Walker scored a 58-yard touchdown in the third quarter and added the two-point conversion. He scored again on an 85-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and Xavier Furlow added the two-point conversion.