Jr. Chicks crush OCC, 65-8

Another week, another blowout for the Blytheville Junior Chickasaws.

This time, the victim was the Obion County, Tenn. Jr. Rebels. Once again, the Chicks jumped out to an early lead and rolled to a 65-8 victory. In the process, Blytheville (3-0) upped its winning streak to 12 games dating back to last season.

Blytheville recovered an onside kick to open the game and drove 45 yards on three plays to open a 7-0 lead right off the bat. The drive was aided by a 35-yard pass reception from quarterback Desmond Moore to Jamieon Johnson. Moore ran the ball in from six yards out two plays later for the score.

The next time the Chicks offense had the ball, they owned a 21-8 lead with 3:21 left in the half.

Two scoop-and-score fumble recoveries by the Chicks helped open up the game. Dezshanal Spencer took the first fumble 55-yards to the house on Obion County's first possession. After a Rebel score and an onside kick recovery of their own, Demmeko Clark took a fumble 60 yards to pay dirt as the Chicks took command of the game.

Blytheville's Rashan Amerson picked off Taylor Dorian's pass on fourth down on the next Rebel drive setting up the next Chickasaw score. Moore hit Johnson for a 52-yard gainer to put Blytheville in scoring position. Three plays later, Malik Smith ran the ball in from two yards out as Blytheville upped the score to 29-8 with 2:15 to play in the half.

Moore set up the next score with his legs. His 37-yard run to the Obion County seven yard line set up a seven yard score from Jaden Martin on the next play as the Chicks took a 37-9 lead into halftime.

Moore threw three more touchdowns in the second half and ran another in as the Chicks evoked the Mercy Clock for nearly the entire half. He hit tight end Donovan Winter for a 12-yard score with 6:14 left before running it in from 18 yards out after another Clark fumble recovery. Moore then hit Smith for 12-yard score at the beginning of the fourth and ended the game with a 59-yard score to Johnson as time expired.

On the night, Moore put up some more big numbers on just a handful of plays. He completed four of his five pass attempts for 170 yards and three touchdowns. He also racked up 76 rushing yards on six attempts and two scores.

Blytheville has now outscored its opponents, 143-28, in their first three games.

The Chicks will host the Wynne Yellowjackets for their 5A-East opener at 7 p.m. next Thursday.

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com