BOGUE CHITTO – Defense proved to be the dominant force Friday night in the Bogue Chitto Football Jamboree. Four shutouts were posted on Troy Smith Field.

Bogue Chitto and Wesson battled for two quarters, with the Bobcats taking the first clash 8-0. Wesson rebounded and won the finale 8-0 as rain continued falling.

Dexter’s defense controlled the Enterprise Yellow Jackets in two quarters, posting 8-0 and 6-0 decisions.

All four teams begin their 2013 season this weekend. On Friday night, Bogue Chitto hosts Loyd Star for the Possum Bowl and Wesson welcomes Lawrence County. Dexter plays at West Marion in Foxworth. Enterprise plays a Saturday night opener against Resurrection Catholic in Pascagoula’s War Memorial Stadium. All games kick off at 7 p.m.

Dexter 8, Enterprise 0

In the first quarter of action, Dexter scored on its first possession. A 35-yard pass from 6-foot-6 senior quarterback Clifford Fernandez to Kendarius Lenoir gave the Bulldogs a first and goal at the Enterprise 9-yard line.

On the next play, Jermaine Pittman went the final 9 yards around left end. The 2-point conversion run was good and it was 8-0.

Dexter, coached by Randy Sumrall, threatened to score again late but Fernandez fumbled in to the end zone and Devon Kirktfield recovered for the Yellow Jackets with 5 seconds left to play.

Fernandez completed 3 of 5 passes for 95 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Deone Fernandez caught 2 passes for 60 yards.

Enterprise had 9 yards total offense in the opener. Neil Ratcliff gained 12 yards on 4 carries.

<cTypeface:Bold> BC 8, Wesson 0 <cTypeface:Plain>

The Bobcats and Cobras battled through a scoreless quarter until just 2 seconds remained on the clock. Quarterback Brock Roberts followed the lead blocking of Jermaine Blackwell from 1 yard out. Roberts hit Dennis Rogers on the 2-point conversion pass.

Roberts had 5 rushes for 43 yards. He completed 2 of 8 passes for 17 yards. Damein Terrell had 1 catch for 13 yards and Rogers had 1 reception for 4 yards.

Wesson got 14 yards rushing on 3 carries from Otis Smith.

Dexter 6, Enterprise 0

As the rain began falling, the Bulldogs used nearly 7 minutes off the clock on their first possession, using 9 rushing plays to reach the Enterprise 30-yard line. That’s where Clifford Fernandez launched a 30-yard touchdown strike to a wide-open Lenoir. Fernandez fumbled the PAT conversion try and it was 6-0.

“Our run defense was a lot better than last year,” said Enterprise second-year coach Brooks Burns. We had two freshmen who got beat on deep passes.

“Overall, I was pleased,” Burns continued. “There were a lot of positives out there.”

Enterprise responded with a 9-play, 43-yard march that moved the Jackets to Dexter’s 35 before time expired.

Austin Coleman led the Jackets with 4 carries for 19 yards. Jackson Cole had 3 rushes for 17 yards.

Dexter got 2 carries and 25 yards rushing from Dionte Fernandez, a 6-3 junior.

Wesson 8, BC 0

Punts were measured 30 yards when the teams exchanged possessions on fourth down. After swapping fumbles, the Cobras got a big play from quarterback Tyler Christmas s he hit sophomore Tyler Granger for a 24-yard completion to Bogue Chitto’s 44-yard line.

Four plays later, Christmas connected with Michael Hauer for 34 yards. Hauer cut back across the field and reached the BC 1-yard line before being stopped. Christmas ran the option off left tackle and it was 6-0.

Christmas hit Granger on the conversion pass with 1:41 left in the quarter.

“We played better the second quarter,” said Wesson coach Ronald Greer. “We were better on defense and got some positive results. Tyler got past the first-game jitters and threw some good passes.”

Christmas completed 2 of 8 passes for 58 yards. He also rushed 4 times for 12 yards in the second quarter.

Bogue Chitto coach Gareth Sartin emphasized the passing game, with Roberts finding new receivers before the season opener. “WE were trying to work with the new guys. We need to replace those guys who graduated.

“Overall, it was a good jamboree,” Sartin added. “Defensively, we got some game experience. We threw the ball fairly well but we missed some deep opportunities.”

Roberts was 3 of 5 for 38 yards. Kurtlyn Lyons caught 1 pass for 29 yards. Eli Holmes had 2 catches for 9 yards. Jermaine Blackwell rushed 5 times for 17 yards.