By Senior Writer, Adam Ogburn / Twitter: @aogburn00
Jordan Jenkins scores nine touchdowns to carry Lindale to third round
Yes, you read the headline right. Jordan Jenkins was a frequent visitor to the end zone when Lindale squared off against Needville in the second round of playoffs this past Saturday. The first half was an offensive clinic as Jenkins rushed for touchdowns of 10, 6, 7, and 7 yards again. He also added a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for good measure. However, Needville had plenty of offensive production of its own.
Needville quarterback Trevor Baker threw for two touchdowns, while talented Needville running back Walker Warncke added touchdown runs of 46, 75, and 5 yards as the Blue Jays took a 42-35 lead into halftime. Warncke matched Jenkins again to open the second half, returning a kickoff of his own for a touchdown on a 95-yard return as Needville went up 49-35. Jenkins took over from there. He added touchdown runs of 7 yards, 22 yards, and 14 yards to put Lindale up 56-49 with just over seven minutes to play. Airik Williams then stepped up for Lindale as he took a punt 59 yards to the house to extend the Lindale lead to 63-49 with just six minutes to go.
Warncke added another late touchdown run, but Jenkins made sure the game was secure as he responded just 11 seconds later with a 49-yard touchdown run for his ninth and final touchdown of the game, giving Lindale the 70-56 advantage that it would go on to win by. Warncke finished the game with 237 yards and 5 touchdowns, but Jenkins outshined him with 302 rushing yards on 37 carries and nine total touchdowns.
“[Jordan] is a very special young man. The key was his preparation and his mentality. He was ready to go physically and mentally,”
Lindale head coach Chris Cochran said.
“The details matter to Jordan and we place a huge emphasis on preparation. He was prepared in every way. He was ready to compete and was not going to be denied.”
The Eagles will look to continue riding Jenkins offensively when they square off against Chapel Hill’s explosive offense in Tyler on Friday.
“Moving forward, he is vital to our success. The Lindale Eagles go as Jordan goes,” Cochran said.
“We have a whole lot of trust in what he can do for our football team and we are a confident football team because of him.”
Opposing defenses have been warned. Jenkins will certainly be a player to continue to keep an eye on as he and the Lindale offense look to continue to fire on all cylinders.
