The Enterprise Yellow Jackets opened up the 2016 football season with a 36-14 victory over the Ethel Tigers Friday.

From the start of the game it was clear both teams wanted to establish their running game.  The Yellow Jackets drew first blood with 8:01 left in the first quarter, as Enterprise’s Zach Hodges scored from 31 yards out. Enterprise took a 6-0 lead into the second quarter after failing to convert the two-point attempt.

Enterprise continued to rely on their rushing game in the second quarter, but the Tigers defense buckled down and was able to force a punt. On their  first possession of the second quarter the Tigers, had a costly mistake in the form of a penalty. Penalties hurt the Jackets’ on their second drive of the second quarter and they were forced to punt the ball away.

The Tigers didn’t have much better luck on their second drive of the half, as penalties forced them into a long third down, with the Jackets’ defense holding strong. The Tigers’ third possession of the half didn’t fare well either, as the Jackets’ defense forced a fumble and Drake Allen recovered the ball.

The Tigers’ defense held strong after the miscue and were able to regain possession for their offense. With 1:48 left in the half, the Yellow Jackets forced the Tigers into a fourth and 6. The Tigers elected to go for it, but the Yellow Jackets’ defense was able to register a big stop. After getting the ball back the Jackets responded with another score. With 12 seconds left in the half, Hodges connected with Cody Leggett for a 25-yard  score. Enterprise took a 18-0 lead into halftime after failing on the two-point try.
Just as they had in the first half, the Jackets continued to lean on their running game after halftime. With just over 11 minutes on the clock, Hodges was able to reach the endzone yet again, this time on a 20-yard run.

On the Tigers’ opening drive of the third quarter, they were finally able to move the ball on the ground against the Enterprise defense.  With 9:15 on the clock, the Tigers’ Hayes Wood ran the ball in for a one yard score, but Ethel could not punch in the two-pointer.

Almost on cue, Hodges broke through the Enterprise defense yet again and scored a touchdown after a 33-yard run. The Tigers notched their final score of the game in the fourth quarter, as Tanner Reeves scored on a five-yard run and they made the two-point conversion.

A five-yard run by Marvin Butler with 5:52 remaining closed out the scoring for both teams on the night.

“The boys played hard. Thought we put it together in the first and fourth quarter. Had a lot of young players step up and played very hard,” Ethel’s head coach Brad Grey said.

“Proud of the boy’s effort. The boys gave great effort and played aggressively. The defense played aggressively. Now we have to start getting ready for Bogue Chitto,” Enterprise’s head Coach Brook Burns said.

Enterprise will be in action Thursday night, as they head to Bogue Chitto to take on the Bobcats. Kick off is slated for 7 p.m.

Hodges led the Yellow Jackets’ offense with five touchdowns, 72 passing yards and 150 rushing yards.
Marvin Butler had 61 yards rushing. Jeffery Daniels had 31 rushing yards. Tanner Waldrop had 36 rushing yards. Marvin Butler had one pass break up.

Hayes Woods finished with 35 passing yards, and a one-yard touchdown for the Tigers. Sean Williams had 21 rushing yards. Cory Felton had 28 rushing yards. Tanner Reeves ended the night with 15 rushing yards. Julius Erving had 15 yards receiving.

The Tigers’ defense was led by Elijah Steen with three tackles. Daquannay Dotson, Thad Halderman, Tykevin Wade, and Branton Lindsay each had two tackles. Dontavious Merritt, Matthew Rigby, Cory Felton, Tanner Reeves, Chance Martin, and Deric Stewart each had one tackle.