Catholic’s Adam Jones (9) tries to pull down a pass against West’s Tre Everson (30) during the TSSAA Play-offs on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Catholic.
Adam Jones finally had the showing he foreshadowed having during summer 7-on-7 action, when he made acrobatic catches, one-handed catches and catches that boggled the mind.
And it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Catholic football team.
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Jones not only rescued the Fighting Irish from West’s upset bid with his 10-catch, 251-yard performance in the 34-28 win, but he also saved junior quarterback Jack Jancek from a disastrous night.
Jancek threw for 454 yards but also tossed four interceptions against the Rebels (4-7). Still, he kept his eyes on Jones. That approach sent Catholic (7-3) into the second round of the 5A playoffs where they’ll play at Fulton (10-1) next week.
Jones finished with two touchdowns (50 and 55 yards), and his 251 yards finished four yards shy of Chase Kuerschen’s school record.
Catholic wound up with 523 yards of total offense.
“He came out huge for us. He caught everything in his area. There was nothing stopping him tonight,” said Jancek of Jones. “He was just on fire.”
After the win, Catholic players turned their attention to Fulton. The Irish have played the Falcons in the second round the last three years, and their two wins over Fulton in 2015 and 2017 led to state titles.
“Coach (Steve) Matthews prepped us up at halftime and Coach (Justin) Anderson. The defensive coaches. You see the outcome in the second half (tonight). We made all the corrections,” said Catholic lineman Bryn Tucker.
“We’re glad we got the win. But it’s Fulton Week. Let’s get it.”
West nearly earned a rematch with Fulton. Chris Harvey intercepted Jancek on the West 10-yard line, preserving the Rebels’ 28-24 lead with roughly 7 minutes left in the third.
John Cupp, who had a first-half interception, intercepted Jancek at the 5:35 mark of the third to give the Rebels the ball in Catholic territory.
But the West offense didn’t make Catholic pay for it, never threatening to score off either turnover.
Even when they stopped Jancek’s pass at midfield on downs late in the third — near midfield — the Rebels couldn’t construct a drive.
Jancek didn’t stop heaving the ball downfield. No hesitation, despite the mistakes.
And his 55-yard touchdown to Jones with 48.8 seconds left in the third quarter gave the Irish the lead, 31-28. Jones fought for the bomb, tipped the ball up and caught the rebound and fell into the end zone.
“Me and Jack had been working all summer. For it to pay off tonight was really good,” said Jones, who broke his collarbone in Week 4 but returned in Week 9. “We just have to keep it through the playoffs.
“I told him (tonight) to keep his head up. Doesn’t matter if he throws an interception. We’re going to keep throwing the ball. I trust him. He trusts me.”
West’s Jawaun Moore (15) sets up for a fake hand off against Catholic during the TSSAA Play-offs on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Catholic.
Both teams simply padded their Hudl highlight films in the first half, as they combined for 52 points. West led 28-24, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the final 6 minutes before the break.
Catholic freshman Tommy Winton recorded the game’s first score with a 15-yard catch up the seam from Jack Jancek.
His teammate, Jones, added a 50-yard touchdown catch with 1:46 left in the first quarter to tie the game at 14-all. Jancek’s pass ballooned into the prevailing wind. Meanwhile, Jones adjusted his route, snagged the jump-ball pass and spun away from two defenders to cruise into the end zone.
The Rebels posted two scores in the first quarter, too, thanks to a 10-yard run by Grant Tierney and Michael Webb’s 47-yard touchdown catch from Jawaun Moore. The latter capitalized on West defensive back Tre Everson’s intercepted Jancek pass.
Catholic kept the scoring going, though.
After Paxton Robertson’s 36-yard field goal with 9:06 left in the half, Winton added his second touchdown receptions of the night roughly three minutes later. Winton finished with seven catches for 143 yards.
Winton took a modest slip-screen pass up the middle and outraced the West defense for a 70-yard score and 24-14 advantage.
West didn’t wilt, though. Tierney’s 14-yard touchdown reception cut the lead to 24-21.
And following West junior defensive back Cupp’s interception 1:34 left in the half, Isaiah Mattress’ 2-yard touchdown run with 20.2 seconds left steered West into the lead.
The Rebels never scored again.
“The first round, you have those playoff feelings. You know you have to win or go home,” said Jancek. “Second round, same thing. You just have to go out there and battle.
“Whoever wants it more is going to get it.”
And on Friday night, Jones wanted it most.
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