North Point tops Stone in season opener; Chargers, Rams, Wolvs win, too
Dual-threat QB Jones paves way for Eagles over Stone
In his first-ever start under center in last season’s opener against Thomas Stone, North Point’s Jemichael Jones served as the difference maker in the Eagles’ 9-6 win over the Cougars with a 93-yard touchdown run.
Friday night in this year’s season opener at Stone, the junior lefty dual-threat quarterback was again the difference, blistering the hosts with his arm and feet to account for four of the Eagles’ six touchdowns in a 41-18 Southern Maryland Athletic Conference nondivision victory.
Jones, who accounted for 302 of North Point’s 374 yards of total offense, completed 13 of 17 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns while also rolling up 118 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns.
“We just did what we were supposed to do. We didn’t fall down or fall asleep,” Jones said. “We played hard and didn’t give up. I just kept encouraging my teammates and I’m proud of the offensive line, they kept pushing and blocking for me.”
Eagles head coach Tom Petre said Jones played with a lot of poise to lead the balanced attack.
“Jemichael has grown a lot within a year. He is a great leader on the offensive side of the ball and is more comfortable at that position,” Petre said. “As a staff we saw his development in the offseason and it was great seeing him run around and have fun last night rather than worry about making a mistake.”
North Point (1-0 overall) scored 27 points in the first half to take a commanding halftime lead. It hosts Lackey in a marquee county showdown, scheduled for at 7 p.m.
Friday. The Chargers shut out Leonardtown in Week 1, 39-0.
“It will be a battle of two teams that have been in the weight room,” said Petre, referring to Lackey. “[Head] Coach [John] Lush does a great job with his kids and they have some athletes. We are expecting a good game.”
On the game’s opening drive, North Point went on a 4-play, 63-yard drive, capped by Jones’ 24-yard touchdown pass on a screen to junior running back Omar Poole, who then put the visitors up 14-0 on a 1-yard touchdown run of his own.
With 3 minutes 25 seconds left in the first half, Jones pushed the Eagles’ lead to 21-6 on a 3-yard touchdown run. Then after North Point junior Josh Crump recovered an onside kick, Jones hooked up with senior wide receiver Malachi McMillan for a 40-yard touchdown pass to make the score 27-6 at halftime.
“I saw that the corner was checking me, so I just opened up fast on my route and Jemichael put the throw on target for me,” said McMillan, who had three catches for 55 yards. This was a good win. We have to keep our heads and keep punching.”
North Point extended its lead to 34-12 on a 7-yard touchdown run by senior Daion Harley late in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, Jones capped off the team’s scoring as he eluded the defensive pressure and broke for a 45-yard touchdown run.
“He broke a few tackles tonight and we are there to protect him,” said junior offensive lineman Rasheed Walker of Jones. “Stone is a hell of a football team and we want to keep eating off this win. We played together tonight and made things happen.”
Senior quarterback Jonathan Harris accounted for all of Stone’s points on the night, scoring on touchdown runs of 2, 11 and 19 yards. He also completed 9 of 18 passes for 100 yards.
“We got beat in all phases tonight,” Cougars head coach Danny Ripple said. “We have to move forward to [at] Chopticon [at 6 p.m. Friday]. We can’t get this game back, so we just have to regroup.”
Senior Taejon Gray caught five balls for 65 yards in the loss.