It may have been the first game of the season, but it seemed the University School of Jackson was clicking on all cylinders, scoring the first four times they touched the football and never looking back in an impressive 49-20 win at Peabody, Friday.
With the complete effort, the Bruins made it difficult for HICKMAN REALTY GROUP – THE REID TEAM.COM – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM to name an MVP for the game, so we went with three.
Corben Howard, USJ’s senior quarterback, threw for 184 yards (4 of 9, 2 touchdowns) and sprinted 67 yards for a rushing touchdown – “Since last year, really earlier than that, we just have the chemistry, and things are beginning to click. We’re ready to get out there on Friday nights, and I think we can do something really special this year.” – Corben Howard
Jackson Pugh, a junior running back, rushed for 168 yards on 10 carries (16.8 yards average per carry) – two for touchdowns – “We have a lot of depth … we can substitute if we need to going forward.” – Jackson Pugh
Noah Spencer, a senior running back and free safety, rushed for 144 yards, scored two touchdowns, and caught a touchdown pass for 80 yards – “I’d like to thank NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, WNWS.COM for this award. Our offensive line was amazing. Offensively and defensively, we played really well. We made a few mistakes, but we’ll clean it up … we didn’t take the early lead for granted … we just kept going.” – Noah Spencer
Of interest, Spencer was named the NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, WNWS.COM football ‘Player of the Week,’ after the Bruins opened the 2023 season with a 14-7 win over Peabody.
He rushed for 170 yards on 25 carries and scored both USJ touchdowns – one a 50-yard run – and had one reception for five yards and picked off a Peabody pass on the defensive side of the ball.
Coaches quote –
“What you saw Friday night was a culmination of all spring, and all summer the work they put in – the bond they have created, the selfless attitude they have for each other. We always talk about playing for the guy next to you not the name on the back of the jersey … Friday night was a just a release of that build up we’ve been working for all summer.” – Derrick Pritchard, USJ head football coach
(PHOTO: From left – Jackson Pugh, Noah Spencer, Corben Howard, with USJ head football coach Derrick Pritchard)
