Rashand Jones accounts for three scores as the Bulldogs build momentum for the playoffs.
For the first five weeks of district play, North Forest dominated opponents, rolling over league foes by lopsided scores.
Friday night at Barnett Stadium was more of the same. The Bulldogs concluded their regular season with a 36-0 trouncing of the Worthing Colts, who came into the contest a game back of the Bulldogs in the district standings.
After three straight nonconference losses in September, the Bulldogs (7-3, 6-0) feasted on District 114A, Division I teams, and have momentum heading into next week’s playoffs.
Bulldogs rely on Jones
“These are great kids,” North Forest coach Mike Ferrell said. “There are a lot of negative images and portrayals of North Forest. And let me tell you, they are false. These kids work hard and have great character. And they do everything we ask them to do, and the result is backto-back district championships.”
Bulldogs quarterback Rashand Jones led the charge, throwing touchdown passes of 56 and 41 yards to freshman Demond Demas and running for one, giving the Bulldogs their 15th consecutive league win.
“This means a lot to the school and the community,” Jones said. “The defense did their job and the offense stepped up.”
Facing pressure most of the game from the Bulldogs’ front seven, the Colts struggled to move the ball.
The Bulldogs accumulated 458 yards — 259 passing and 199 rushing. Jones passed for 259 yards and rushed for 84 yards. Demas had five receptions for 160 yards, and averages nearly 30 yards per catch.
“He’s good and he’s got another three years,” Jones said.
End Caleb Bledsoe had an outstanding game defensively for North Forest, as did Frederick Whitaker and Montel Perkins, who had a fourth-quarter pick.
Worthing (5-5, 4-2), under coach Brandon Ellis, had secured a playoff spot prior to Friday. Taurus Davis had an interception and recovered a fumble for the Colts, who also got a fumble recovery from Wendell Webb.
North Forest was in command from the start, taking a 21-0 lead by halftime. Worthing had a touchdown called back with 13 seconds left in the half. A 44-yard TD pass from Deeago Thomas to Tyrese Davis was nullified because of illegal motion.
Class of district
North Forest dominated district this season; the Bulldogs shut out four of six district opponents.
“We play defense night in, night out,” Ferrell said. “It’s great to have a defense that can stop a team that runs the ball like they (Worthing) do. Everything we do starts with our defense.”
Jones’ 7-yard run with 3:08 left in the first quarter opened the scoring. Jones displayed his arm on the Bulldogs’ second touchdown, a 56-yard pass to Demas. Damond Wiggins’ 2-yard run with 5:25 left in the second quarter ended the first-half scoring.
A 41-yard reception by Demas from Jones led to a fourth-quarter, 8-yard TD run by Antonio Davis.