Vernon takes opener 21-7 over archrival Chipley

CHIPLEY — Vernon’s new Veer offense was a little cranky, and the new 3-4 defense took some time to get everything in place, but the Yellow Jackets (1-0) took control in the second half and defeated Washington County archrival Chipley (0-1) 21-7 at Phillip Rountree Memorial Stadium.

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“We’ve got some issues on the offensive line, and we may have to make some personnel changes. We can’t keep missing assignments,” Rigers said of the new offense he and his staff instituted this season.

The Jackets made enough assignments to stop Chipley’s opening drive and then march 79 yards in 11 plays to open scoring on Dylan Lee’s one-yard plunge with 3:22 left in the first quarter. Highlights included Markeith Bell gaining 55 yards on two carries around right end and J.J. Roache picking up 19 yards on three carries inside. Cody Small’s kick made it 7-0 Jackets.

Chipley came back in the second quarter as Jordan McKinnie’s 21-yard run sent up quarterback Josh Myers’ 15 yard bootleg left, following good blocking into the end zone with 9:09 left in the first half. Jared Bozarth’s kick tied it 7-all.

The Jackets responded on the fourth play of the following drive a Roache blasted up the middle and was not touched by a Tiger defender as he raced 64 yards, with Small’s kick making it 14-7 at the half.

The final score came after Vernon held the Tigers on downs at the Jackets’ 28 with 4:41 left in the third quarter. Tailback Hunter Dobbs tore off a 29-yard gain and picked up 12 on a pass from Lee. Lee capped off the drive by hitting speedy Taron Greene as he raced past the Chipley defenders to catch a 29-yard scoring pass. Small’s kick made it 21-7.

“We’ve been a passing team for four years,” Rogers said.

Vernon threatened in the fourth quarter but gave the ball up on downs at then Tiger 33. The Jackets stopped the ensuing drive when Jordan Curry recovered a Tiger fumble at the Vernon 46. The Jackets got as far as the Chipley 35 before giving the ball up on downs. Chipley quarterback Josh Myers completed two passes to tight end Josh Smith for a total of 41 yards to give his team one more chance for a score, but three straight interceptions from the Vernon 14 ended Chipley’s scoring chances.

“Chipley’s a lot better team that we knew we were going to have to overcome,” Rogers said. “Chipley and Vernon is never an easy game.”

Rogers was happier with the defense that adjusted in the second half and slowed down Chipley’s running game. “We absolutely made some good calls there,” he said.

Rogers has a full coaching staff and he said the difference is obvious. “I work 40 hours a week just on football, but each of the other coaches also works 40 hours a week. With each doing that we can do a lot more.”

“Vernon is well-coached and they played hard,” said Chipley Coach Rob Armstrong. “Our offense had opportunities and we have to take advantage of them.

“They caught on to what we were doing in the second half and they took the inside away.”

Vernon travels to Bozeman next Friday while Chipley hosts Wewahitchka. Both games are at 7 p.m.

Statistics

First Half 20 plays Second Half 30 plays on Offense

Rush Yrds   - 43 attemps for  230
Passing Yards - 3 for 7 for 75
Total Offense  - 305 yrds

Individual Stats

Dylan Lee - 9 Carries for 15 yrds  3 completions on 7 attemps
for 75 yrds passing 1 Rush TD 1 Passing TD
JJ Roche  - 15 carries 104 yards 1 64yrd TD
Markieth Bell - 6 Carries 46 Yards
Shaq Powell  - 6 Carries 18 Yards
Hunter Dobbs - 3 Carries 39 Yards 1 catch 10 yards
C J Lee - 3 Carries for 8 Yards
Keonte Smith - 1 Catch 37 Yards
Taron Greene - 1 Catch 28 Yard TD