Jefferson quarterback Austin Graves scored four touchdowns in the first half to lead the Blue Jays to a 45-8 romp over the visiting Herculaneum Blackcats Friday (Sept. 3). It was Jefferson’s first win of the season and the first career victory as a head coach for Alex Rouggly.
Graves dashed 85 yards around right end for a touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage to set the tone for the night. Later in the first quarter, he peeled off two more long scoring runs using the same play, an option run around right end. The senior signal-caller left the game early in the second half after rushing for more than 358 yards on only 10 carries.
Herculaneum fell to 0-3 as the Blackcats have been outscored 121-14 so far this season.
Another flock of birds coming out winners Friday were the Hillsboro Hawks, who scored 30 points in the second half to pull away from the visiting Seckman Jaguars 57-21. Senior running back Trey Terry ran for six touchdowns, the longest from 69 yards out, and finished with 213 yards on 15 carries. It was the second straight win for Hillsboro (2-1) while Seckman remained winless at 0-3.
At De Soto, the Dragons suffered their first loss of the season, falling to North County 21-14. The Raiders scored the winning touchdown on a 62-yard bomb from Dylan Kater to Matt Black early in the fourth quarter. De Soto’s touchdowns came on a nine-yard run by Caleb Keim for the first score of the game, and a 14-yard pass from Zach Smith to Lamont Allen midway through the third quarter.
In other games Friday, three local teams picked up their first victories of the season as Festus got by Windsor 27-14, Northwest downed host Carnahan 28-16 and St. Pius X beat Grandview 33-14 in the annual Black and Blue Bash at Grandview. Fox improved to 2-1 with a 21-7 win on the road at Francis Howell Central. Crystal City (1-1) was scheduled to play at Principia on Saturday.