PRICEDALE – The North Pike Jaguars took over the driver’s seatin the Region 7-4A football race Friday night, beating the LawrenceCounty Cougars 40-14 in the region opener for both teams on theNorth Pike Middle School. The Jaguars got a monster night fromsenior quarterback Revis Butler who ran for 220 yards and fourtouchdowns, and threw for 93 yard and another score.

With the win, Coach Chris Smith’s Jaguars improved to 6-1 overall,and 1-0 in region play. Lawrence County, coached by Mike Davis,fell to 2-5 overall, and 0-1 in the league. Lawrence County is thedefending region champion.

North Pike entered the night averaging 40 points per game, andthat’s exactly the number they got. The Jaguars wasted no time isasserting that they are the team to beat in 7-4A this season. Withtouchdown runs of 23 yards and 5 yards by Butler, along with a50-yard Butler-to-Jemerick Jordan pass, North Pike led 20-0 beforemany fans got settled in their seats.

With his team in danger of an early blowout, Lawrence Countysophomore quarterback Nicholas McDonald escaped a near sack andraced 42 spectacular yards, cutting the Jaguar lead to 20-7.Moments later, however, McDonald’s fortunes reversed, as NorthPike’s Jalen Adams intercepted his pass and raced 45 yards for ascore. That made it 28-7.

Late in the half, Lawrence County’s Alexander Montgomery ran for 9yards and a TD, making it a 28-14 game at the half. North Pike hada chance to score again just before the intermission, but Cougarlinebacker LaKendrick Barnes intercepted a Butler pass at the goalline on the final play of the first half.

Lawrence County had two major opportunities to cut the lead evenmore at the start of the third quarter, but a long Trevor Haviskickoff return and a botched punt return by North Pike resulted ingreat defensive stands by the Jaguar defense. Nose tackle JadarriusWeatherspoon and defensive end AJ Jefferson made life tough on theCougar offense all night long.

After a scoreless third quarter, Butler tacked on two moretouchdowns in the fourth quarter, on runs of 23 and 79 yards.

McDonald was the lone offensive bright spot for Lawrence County,rushing for 131 yards on 18 carries. Along with Butler’s big night,Jalen Adams (7-53) and Tonnie Collins (5-37) had productive rushingnights for North Pike. Jordan had 2 pass receptions for 90yards.

North Pike will travel to Port Gibson for another Region 7-4Acontest Friday. Lawrence County will continue region play atCrystal Springs.