JASPER – With a dominate performance on the ground, Center Point defeated Jasper 55-27 In the season opener for both teams.
Center Point senior quarterback Jabari Collier ran for three touchdowns on more than 200 yards while throwing for one touchdown. Senior running back Troy Bruce also ran for more than 150 yards with three touchdowns.
“Center Point is a good football team. They had a lot of speed,” Jasper coach Philip Bailey said. “Our guys kept fighting in there. They didn’t give up.”
Center Point opened the scoring on a Bruce run of 23 yards. The 2-point attempt was completed by Collier to give the Eagles an 8-0 lead. Collier scored his first touchdown on a 48-yard run with 13 seconds left in the first quarter.
Center Point increased its lead to 18-0 with a short field goal by Jayvon Jones.
The Vikings got on the board when Spencer Rosenfeld connected with Micah Pledger, cutting the Center Point lead to 18-6.
Bruce answered for the Eagles with a 69-yard touchdown run. Pledger returned the ensuing kickoff 52 yards to cut the lead to 24-12 with just under three minutes left in the second quarter.
Collier connected on a touchdown pass to increase the Center Point lead to 30-12. Jasper was able to answer and cut the lead to 30-20 just before halftime.
Center Point scored 25 straight points to take a 55-20 lead with 10 minutes left in the game.
The second unit for the Vikings added a score late in the game when Tanner Morrow and Garrett Busby connected on a 69-yard touchdown. Pedro Ponce hit the extra point.
Jasper will travel to Cullman next week for the Vikings/Bearcats annual rivalry game.
