EAST PRAIRIE-- The Charleston Blue Jays handily defeated the East Prairie Eagles on Friday by the score of 47-0.
Charleston entered the game coming off of a narrow victory over Dexter in which the Bluejay offense was held relatively quiet. Friday the 'Jays returned to form as they racked up 256 yards of total offense, most coming in the first half.
Standout tailback Jordy Mixon finished the night with 151 yards on 11 carries with two scores, all of which came in the first half of play.
Punishing fullback Orrice Stanback recorded only 43 rushing yards in the game, but found paydirt twice. The first of which came on the opening kickoff, which he returned for 85 yards for a touchdown.
"My kids came out ready to play," said Charleston head coach Brent Anderson. "I didn't think it would get out of hand like this, they have a good ball club, but we just hit some plays early and they lost some confidence."
On their first offensive possession, the Eagles would fumble deep in their own territory to turn the ball over to the Bluejays on their own 13 yard line.
Dontay Clark would need only one play from scrimmage to take the ball 13 yards around the end for the six making the tally 12-0.
On the next Eagle possession, the 'Jays would again force a three and out, again giving the Blue Jays the ball in Eagle territory.
Starting at the East Prairie 41, the Blue Jays again took advantage of good field position and Mixon capped the drive with a short five yard jaunt to paydirt. Paul Brown would add the PAT making the score 19-0.
"They are extremely fast, well disciplined, and well coached," said East Prairie coach John Garner. "They run to the ball on defense and their backs are tough to stop. This is the most speed we have seen all year."
On their next offensive possession, the Blue Jay defense again forced an Eagle punt to again give the 'Jays the ball at the East Prairie 35 yard line.
Charleston again went the distance, this time scoring on a 12 yard jaunt from Stanback. Brown would again add the PAT to make the score 26-0.
With the game already blown wide open, the Blue Jay defense wouldn't let down as they ended the first quarter with the Eagles pinned at their own 10 yard line.
On 4th and long East Prairie punted to open the second quarter. Return man Dontay Clark fielded the ball at his own 45 and with great blocking, outran the Eagle defenders to the endzone for the six. The Brown kick would make the score 33-0.
Charleston cruised the rest of the way to the blowout victory seeing two more scores from Mixon and Blake Earnheart to make the final tally 47-0.
"This is a huge game for us heading into districts," said Anderson. "Staying healthy is a big key for us, and we're starting to get some kids healthy again. Mixon ran better tonight than he has so far, and that is great to see. We wanted to get him out as soon as we could. We go to Crystal City next week for a tough, tough game next week."
East Prairie's most promising play came late in the third quarter when Matt Boyer hooked up with Josh Boyer for a 55 yard pass.
Boyer was then caught from behind by the speedy Blue Jay defense, keeping the shutout in tact.
"They are extremely fast, that is the most speed we have seen all year," said Garner. "They just put it to us tonight. My kids kept fighting and never gave up. We expected to play a little closer, but that just didn't happen tonight."
Charleston (5-2) will travel to Crystal City next week, while East Prairie (1-6) will travel to Portageville.