West decks East in Grin Iron Classic

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. Yes, it was for charity.

But dont tell Jarvis Jones or Scott Bailey or anyone else associated with the West team that Friday nights Sertoma Grin Iron Classic wasnt important.

Jones, a recent Webb City graduate, had an 83-yard touchdown pass and Bailey, who coached Lamar to a state title last fall, guided the West to a 34-14 win over the East at JFK Stadium, keeping the Easts meager Grin Iron win total at one.

As soon as we got here, (Bailey) was like This isnt just for fun, we want to win the ball game, Jones said. He didnt want that only other loss on his watch. And we didnt want to be the ones who gave up that one other loss.

Jones long touchdown pass, from Nixa quarterback Sam Rehegan, came in the middle of a furious 17-0 streak by the West that broke a scoreless tie and was interrupted only by halftime.

Cassvilles Garrett Barnes kicked a 28-yard field goal with 1:11 left in the second quarter for the games first points. An East three-and-out and long punt return set up Rehegans 17-yard touchdown pass to Stocktons Dalton Freeze with just 25 seconds left before halftime.

Less than a minute into the second half, Rehegan the Wests offensive MVP found Jones behind the defense for an 83-yard score.

It was called Rolling Thunder. You run it once and if the corner gets tired, you run it again, Jones said. I guess we wore him out on the first one so we ran it again and I got past him pretty easy.

The East pulled to within 17-14, but Rehegan and Freeze hooked up for two more touchdowns and Barnes kicked a 36-yard field goal for the final margin.

Joplin receiver Dayton Whitehead didnt get in the end zone but had a handful of catches for the West and said he could feel the offense starting to come together more as the game progressed.

Originally posted here:
West decks East in Grin Iron Classic