Football legends come in all shapes and sizes and they play all different positions. The ones that we remember may play quarterback or defensive end or even be the kicker. But the one thing all the legends have in common is that they perform in the clutch. When the pressure is on, they shine the brightest. The 2022 Jaybirds are continuing to flash that “clutch” gene that is so important to the game. It’s not always pretty; the Jaybirds actually had to overcome three first-half turnovers. And yet, with a potent Motley County offense continuing to apply the pressure, the Jayton offense needed to be near perfect to come out on top.
The Jaybirds answered the call drive after drive, defeating the Matadors 59–50 in Motley County.
Following the game head coach Josh Stanaland breathed a sigh of relief. “Our kids, we battle, but I think they like to stress me out,” he said. “I think that’s our fourth single-digit victory this year. It’s a lot of fun when it’s over, but it’s not very fun when it’s going on. Credit to our kids for battling and finding a way.”
Leading the battle was Jaydon Rivera, rushing for 157 yards on 17 carries with three TDs and adding two catches for 49 yards and another TD.
Another clutch player on the night was Jaybird kicker Justin Collins, who kept the Birds ahead with his twopoint kicks and singlehandedly squashing the dangerous Matador return game with touchbacks on the kickoff.
“The touchbacks are huge!” said Coach Stanaland. “It’s big to be able to do that. I’m proud of him. It’s that third phase of the game that sometimes goes unnoticed and it was huge tonight. Those extra points made a big difference. It made it a nine-point ball game instead of a one possession game.”
The Jaybirds have now earned a week of rest before they face Patton Springs to end district play, but looming in the distance is a playoff run where these Jaybirds will seek to be “clutch” yet again.
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