By Stephen Dawkins

Jemison has advanced to the second round of the state football playoffs for the first time since 2000, the year after a run to the state finals at Birmingham’s Legion Field, because the Panthers have found a way to win the games they needed to win.

The crucial victories include a 57-56 decision over Class 4A, Region 4 foe Greene County on Oct. 22 and a 35-27 win over Holtville last week in the first round of the playoffs.

Both of those games went into double overtime, and coach Brad Abbott said the outcomes are a result of his team’s keeping an upbeat attitude until the end.

“Especially at halftime, you can tell what they’re thinking,” Abbott said. “Some teams will come into the locker room dragging. This group, it’s all positive statements coming out of their mouth.

“It’s been a fun group to coach.”

Abbott singled out seniors Isa Bentley, M.J. McKenzie, Jesse Taylor and Cole Thompson as players that have above and beyond their specific jobs by playing their best at crucial moments and by serving as emotional leaders for their teammates.

Encouragement from Panthers like the four above has allowed younger players to take on increased roles. For example, Bentley shifted from his usual inside linebacker position to the outside against Holtville, who was running wide for long gains.

Freshman Keyshawn Jemison was forced into action at middle linebacker and performed admirably, registering five tackles.

JHS (7-4) will need to play its best to have a chance at 7 p.m. on Friday at Dadeville, which has been so good at finding ways to win that there are no losses on the schedule yet.

The Tigers haven’t been dominant, though, with six of their 11 wins coming by no more than two scores.

Still, Dadeville features athletic quarterback Kyle Caldwell, a senior, running a high-powered spread offense, and 39 seniors and juniors on the roster.

“There’s a reason why they’re undefeated,” Abbott said.

By Justin Averette

The drama in Friday’s night’s matchup between Jemison and Holtville went down to the last second…and then some more…and then some more.

For the second time in the past three games, a Panthers game has gone into double overtime. And again, just like they did two weeks ago against Greene County, Jemison stepped up when it mattered and won the game. This time, 35-27, over a talented Bulldogs bunch.

The game’s last few minutes of regulation proved to be a seesaw of emotions and lead changes.

Jemison scored its first touchdown of the second half with 6:17 seconds to go after a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Scott Clements to receiver Eddie Hubbard. That tightened the score, 21-18, in favor of Holtville.

Running back Javae Swindle then took over and had big runs of 24 and 53 yards. Swindle ran the ball all four plays of the drive, scoring on the fourth one, from 3 yards out.

Swindle’s successful 2-point conversion run put Jemison up, 27-21 with just 2:52 to go in the game.

Holtville responded with an 11-yard run touchdown run by Cutter Holley to tie the game, 27-27.

The Bulldogs missed their PAT attempt, which left the game tied with 1:23 to go in the fourth quarter.

In the first overtime, Dustin McDaniel intercepted the Bulldogs to end their drive. However, the game was prolonged after the Bulldogs blocked the Panthers’ field goal attempt.

During the second overtime, Swindle scored on his team’s first play, a 10-yard run. Holtville’s quarterback fumbled the ball twice on his team’s second play in the second overtime — Jemison recovered and won the game.

By Stephen Dawkins

Jemison had probably rather be entering Friday’s first-round playoff football game on a roll rather than losers of two of their last three.

But the Panthers (6-4) are right where they wanted to be before the season started.

“One of our goals starting the year was hosting a first-round game, and our kids were able to accomplish that,” Jemison coach Brad Abbott said.

Their reward is a visit from Holtville (7-3), which will feature one of the most unusual attacks in the state: the “spin offense.”

“We have to know our assignments, line up correctly and not overpursue. They run motion and a lot of counter stuff. We have to be disciplined,” Abbott said but then admitted the game plan might be easier to develop than to execute. “I’ve been sitting here watching it (on film) for three days, and I still get confused.”

Holtville will line up in what appears to be a typical double wing formation, but then the wackiness begins.

Either one of the wings might motion in front of or behind the quarterback, who is in the shotgun. After the snap, the quarterback will turn his back to the line of scrimmage—hence the “spin”—to disguise whether he’s handing the ball off to one of a number of backs or keeping it himself.

The JHS defense, which is allowing an average of 32 points per game, will need one of its better performances of the season.

The Jemison offense, however, has had no problem scoring this year, averaging more than 35 points per game behind the trio of senior quarterback Scott Clements, junior running back Javae Swindle and junior wide receiver Eddie Hubbard—who have combined to account for more than 4,000 yards of total offense and 54 touchdowns.

Abbott wanted to remind fans that playoff football games are Alabama High School Athletic Association events, meaning ticket prices and seating policies are set by the state.

So, fans that enjoyed reserved seating during the season will not have a right to any particular seat on Friday.

The Marbury Bulldogs came back in thrilling fashion Friday to defeat a Jemison squad that was without its star player the entire second half.

After being down 20-7, the Bulldogs ended up owning the second half, earning a 30-27 win.

Jemison quarterback Scott Clements looks to the sidelines for a play Friday against Marbury.

Running back Javae Swindle didn’t suit up after halftime. He was banged up on a play midway through the second quarter and sat out five snaps but eventually did return to the game then.

However, he didn’t return after intermission, ensuring he would stay healthy for next week’s playoffs.

Friday’s game with Marbury was for bragging rights more than anything. The out-of-area matchup had no impact on Jemison’s postseason and the first round of playoffs they host in a week.

The Panthers had the better team by far in the first half and scored the night’s first two touchdowns.

On their opening possession, Jemison quarterback Scott Clements found receiver Eddie Hubbard for a 35-yard score.

Hubbard for sensational Friday and also scored the team’s second TD, a 30-yard pass from Clements to put the Panthers up 14-0.

The game’s outcome might have been decided on Jemison’s next possession. On fourth down, Marbury blocked Jemison’s punt. The ball was recovered by a Bulldog in the end zone to put Marbury on the board, 14-7.

The Panthers responded with a long drive that led to a score via a 1-yard run by Dustin McDaniel, set up by a pass from Clements to Hubbard. The score would remain 20-7 at the break.

Jemison tried an onside kick to start the third quarter; however, Marbury recovered the ball. The Bulldogs capitalized on the good field position and scored off a 1-yard run by Jerry Tyus to tighten things, 20-14.

On their next possession, Marbury’s special teams came through again with a 39-yard field goal by Henry Perez to put the score at 20-17.

The Bulldogs would later take its first lead of the night, 23-20, with a 35-yard pass from Keston Chatman to Tyus.

The Panthers fought back though with a great drive, scoring off a 9-yard pass from Clements to McDaniel.

Trailing 27-23 with 4:38 to go in the game, Marbury found the end zone on 3rd and 13 via a 20-yard pass from Chatman to a receiver with 41 seconds left to go in the game.

Jemison would try several heaves toward the end zone before A.J. Walton intercepted Clements as time expired.

Despite the tough loss, the Panthers have to regroup quickly to prepare to host a yet-to-be determined team next Friday in the Class 4A playoffs.

By Stephen Dawkins

Cruz Martinez kicked a 30-yard field goal to send Friday’s game into overtime and then a point after in the second extra period to give Jemison a 57-56 victory and the right to host a first-round playoff game.

The Panthers (6-3, 5-2 Class 4A, Region 4) looked out of it at halftime, falling behind 28-7 because of an inability to stop Greene County’s rushing attack.

Jemison junior Javae Swindle answered a game-opening scoring drive for Greene (6-3, 5-2) by rushing for the first of his six touchdowns, but the visitors scored 21 unanswered points to close the first half.

Another Jemison junior, Eddie Hubbard, ran back the kickoff to begin the second half, and a 94-yard drive featuring nothing but Swindle runs pulled JHS to within one score of the lead, 28-21 with 2:51 remaining in the third quarter.

Swindle scored again less than 2 minutes into the fourth quarter and, after an offsides penalty on Greene County as Jemison was lining up for the extra point, added a 2-point conversion for a 29-28 lead.

Greene County was driving on the ensuing possession, and quarterback Gerald Gaines had gained enough yards for a first down on a third down play and still had his legs churning when, all of a sudden, Jemison’s Markis Lucas emerged from the mass of bodies with the football and a clear path to the end zone.

Greene County took back the lead less than 2 minutes later on a Gaines keeper, but Hubbard answered with another weaving kick return. Swindle punched it in moments later.

The visitors scored what seemed like a game-winning touchdown with 32 seconds on the clock, but JHS senior quarterback Scott Clements guided his team to the 14-yard line with 4 seconds left and Martinez was good for Jemison’s first field goal of the season.

Gaines scored again for Greene County in the first half of the first overtime, but a 2-point conversion attempt failed.

Swindle ran to the left sideline for a score on Jemison’s first play of its possession, but what would have been a game-winning extra point was no good.

Martinez got a chance to redeem himself in the second OT after a replay of Swindle’s TD run in the first overtime.

From Staff Reports

With a chance to clinch a spot in the Class 4A state playoffs on the line, Jemison left Livingston on Friday with a 56-28 loss.

The Panthers (5-3, 4-2 region) fell behind 34-14 at halftime and could never catch up.

Junior Javae Swindle scored on a touchdown run of more than 80 yards and had another score.

Senior quarterback Scott Clements connected with junior wide out Eddie Hubbard for another of Jemison’s scores.

Late in the game, junior quarterback Trey Bryant concluded the scoring by hooking up with senior receiver Rodell Chisolm.

By Stephen Dawkins

Much goes into a successful football program.

Talented players have to be instructed by knowledgeable coaches. Dedicated fans creating a home field advantage never hurts.

But how about facilities?

Jemison coach Brad Abbott said his team’s renovated field house has helped the Panthers this season and will in the future.

“We have a big meeting room now—before we were using three different areas,” Abbott said. “We were kind of cramped. Now, it’s easier on Friday nights to make adjustments at halftime.”

Where there used to be about 40 lockers stacked one on top of another, there are now more than 60 “pro-style” lockers, which allow the players more space.

Members of the Jemison Quarterback Club completed the project, which was begun during the offseason and spilled over into the start of the season.

The structure was completely renovated, from new coaches’ offices and new restrooms to an expanded locker room with brand new lockers. There’s a new floor and new paint throughout.

Abbott said he worked with the QB Club to design a new layout for the field house, which sits adjacent to Panther Stadium.

Quarterback Club secretary Brad Jackson said improving the field house, which was built in the 1980s, has been a priority since he helped form the club about the year ago.

“Other than some coats of paint, nothing had ever been done to it,” Jackson said about the building. “Everything inside those four walls is brand new now.

“It was a community effort. Nothing we bought, we never paid full value. We either got it donated or got it at cost. I think it’s a facility that our players and our coaches and our community can be proud of.”

All money spent on the project was raised by the club. A steak dinner in May raised more than $10,000.

Then there was the labor. Club members Mark Bolton, Joey Gillespie and Troy Kaylor spent many hours working on the field house, Jackson said.

Abbott said it also encouraged his players to see how much the community cared about their success.

“They were coming up here during the summer working out while all this was going on, so they got to see it from the beginning,” Abbott said. “They saw all the time and effort being put in by the community for them.”

By Justin Averette

The West Blocton Tigers had managed to claw their way back into a 14-7 game Friday nearing halftime.

But Jemison, led by junior Eddie Hubbard, scored in the last seconds of the opening half and on the kickoff to start the third quarter to put the game out of contention.

The Panthers would go on to win handily, 54-21.

Running back Javae Swindle had one of his best games ever in terms of rushing yards and accounted for four touchdowns.

Swindle put Jemison up 14-0 behind two long touchdown runs, the first from 52 yards out and the second from 27 yards out.

West Blocton scored late in the second half to tighten things up, 14-7, but Jemison took over with 90 seconds looking for points. In the game’s biggest play, quarterback Scott Clements found Hubbard on 4th and 10 for a 35-yard touchdown pass with 6 seconds left before the half.

Hubbard continued the heroics after intermission, returning the third quarter kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown.

Clements later found Hubbard again from 7 yards out. Swindle kept gashing the Tiger defense, scoring two more rushing touchdowns in the second half with runs of 57 yards and 13 yards.

Sophomore Kevin King capped scoring for the night, 54-21, with a 24-yard TD run.

With the win, Jemison improves to 5-2 (4-1 in Class 4A, Region 4).

By Dennis Palmer | Selma Times-Journal

SELMA – After missing the last two games due to injury, Jemison senior quarterback Scott Clements went 6-for-11 for 197 yards and three touchdowns to lead the visiting Panthers to a 42-6 win over winless Southside.

“In the first three games, he’d thrown for something like 615 (yards) and eight touchdowns,” said Jemison head coach Brad Abbott. “We missed him the last two ballgames, but he’s back now and we’re glad to see him have such a good ballgame throwing the ball.”

And it didn’t take Clements long to shake off the rust. The first play from scrimmage, he took a three step drop and tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eddie Hubbard.

After a three and out by Southside, Clements struck again with a 28-yard TD pass to Kortlin Zeigler. The scoring drive was aided by a 31-yard run by Javae Swindle, who rushed for 107 yards on 13 carries in the first half.

“We talked about it all week about coming down and getting some success early and not giving them a chance to get going,” Abbott said. “They’ve been in some games lately, and we knew after that game with Keith last week they’d have a lot of confidence coming in.”

Southside’s lone touchdown came after a Jemison score when senior running back Wilbert McConico caught the kickoff on his own 20-yard line, dashed up the middle and then broke left across and down the field for an 80-yard touchdown.

Southside QB Rajadavia Phillips was 17-for-32 on the night for 140 yards with one interception. The Southside Panthers had 65 yards rushing on 28 attempts, with McConico gaining 48-yards on 10 carries. Jemison rushed for 141 yards on 27 attempts.

Jemison won a shootout at Calera on Friday, 41-38.

The Panthers (3-2, 2-1 Class 4A, Region 4) survived a late rally by the hosts that included a touchdown with about 1 minute left to play and a successfully recovered onside kick.

Junior running back Javae Swindle amassed a respectable 79 yards on seven carries in the first half but then exploded in the second half and finished with 283 yards on 24 rushes.

He scored on runs of 35 yards, 80 yards, 4 yards and 15 yards.

Junior quarterback Trey Bryant, filling in for injured Scott Clements, completed nine passes in 19 attempts for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

One of the scoring strikes was to freshman Randy Satterfield, and the other was to junior Eddie Hubbard, who caught six passes for 120 yards.

Senior Isa Bentley led the defense with 10 tackles, and fellow senior M.J. McKenzie had nine stops and three fumble recoveries.