Enterprise running back Deon Pendleton made a statement.Pendleton rushed the football 20 times for 144 yards and scoredfour touchdowns to lead the visiting Fighting Yellow Jackets to a30-14 win over the West Lincoln Bears Thursday night in the seasonopener for both teams.

Enterprise head football coach Roe Burns felt both teamsperformed well.

“This was a well played game,” said Burns. “West Lincoln issteadily improving. We ran hard and played good on defense. It wasa good team effort. My kids showed some enthusiasm out thereplaying.”

Pendleton scored his first touchdown on a 3-yard run with 3:03left in the first quarter. The try for two points failed asEnterprise took a 6-0 lead..

The Jackets struck at the 7:34 mark in the second quarter whenquarterback Cody Brister connected to Pendleton for 23-yardtouchdown pass. Brister hit M.T. Martin for the two-pointconversion and pushed the visitors lead to 14-0.

West Lincoln picked up its first TD when Calvin Kees broke loosefor a 42-yard run for the end zone at the 7:15 mark. Tyler Trout’sPAT kick was good as the Bears cut the Jackets lead to 14-7.

Third-quarter action saw the Pendleton score his third TD of thenight on a 3-yard burst for the 6 points. Brister connected withTrent Herrington for the 2 points to give Enterprise a 22-7 lead atthe 9:03 mark.

The Bears came back and scored with 7:33 left in the thirdquarter on a 72-yard touchdown-pass from Brett Rushing to JeremyByrd. Trout’s extra point kick was good. Enterprise led WestLincoln 22-14.

With 5:30 left in the third quarter, the Jackets scored for thefinal time when Pendleton scored this third rushing TD from 26-yardout. Brad Prather ran the 2-point conversion to push Enterprise’slead to 30-14.

“We played hard, but we came up short because we lack the depth(not having enough players) and we ran out of gas in the secondhalf,” said West Lincoln head coach Brooks Burns. “We just do nothave the numbers to compete, especially in the second half.

“Enterprise manages to use their skill athletes that go toschool there,” continued Burns. “But we cannot use our potentialskill athletes here because they would rather sit in the stands andjust talk. But I am proud of my kids whom are playing. It was ateam effort. I also want to thank the fans for their support.”

Kees powered the West Lincoln running game with 16 carries for87 yards. Jamie Rushing followed with 12 carries for 37 yards.

Brett Rushing completed 4 of 5 passes for 86 yards.

Following Pendleton in rushing for Enterprise was Brister with 6rushes for 65 yards. Martin carried 6 times for 53 yards.

Brister completed 2 of 3 pass for 53 yards for the Jackets.

Defensively, Kolby Burris paced the Bears with13 tackles, including 10 solos. Jamie Rushing made 13 stops. Ninetackles were made by Nathaniel Pruski. Making 8 tackles was BrettRushing.

For the Jackets, Jake Walker led the way with 10 tackles. Making9 stops was Travis Leggett. Taylor Allen finished with 8 stops.Peter Aleman had 6 tackles.

“My kids showed some enthusiasm out there playing,” added RoeBurns. “But there is one thing that I can say, is that if WestLincoln could manage to get their skill athletes, whom are notplaying football to come out and play for them, then West Lincolnwould be very difficult to handle.”

West Lincoln (0-1) travels to Pisgah and Enterprise (1-0) is atRichton next Friday night.