Jessie Henderson Shines

[Stallion]

....led all Metroplex rushers with 249 yards on 34 carries and 3 TDs according to the DMN.

[Pony4Life]

Think anyone would notice if he suited up in Waco tonight?

[1411]

Paris High’s line wins battle in trenches

By Charles Persons
The Paris News

Published September 14, 2003

Winning the “battle in the trenches” may be cliché, but Friday night that battle was the main factor in Paris’ 27-14 victory over North Lamar at R.L. Maddox Stadium.

Paris dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, not only opening 249-yards worth of holes for Jessie Henderson, but holding North Lamar to a meager 35 yards of rushing offense on 26 carries.

“Their line got out on us and created seams for Jessie,” North Lamar head coach Tommy Felty said. “He’s the kind of back who can find those seams and make you look bad. He has the ability to go the distance any time you make a mistake.”

While Paris was somewhat bigger (averaging 239-pounds on their offensive line compared to 231 for the Panthers) the real difference was in experience.

The Wildcats started four seniors and a junior on their offensive line, while North Lamar countered with four sophomores and a senior. To add to the trouble, the Panther line features all new starters this season, while Bryan Glass, Chris Brunson and Ryan Freelan (at Denison) all started on offensive lines a season ago.

Henderson knew where to give credit at the night’s end.

“My line, they worked hard tonight,” Henderson said. “I have to give all the credit to them. Those guys came out and worked so hard and blocked well.”

Paris’ star tailback was spectacular in his own right, breaking plenty of tackles and emerging from the depths of pileups for 249 yards. The senior had averaged just over 100 yards-per-game against the Panthers coming in, but acheived nearly that in the first quarter alone in this year’s tilt.

“I’m glad we got our running game going. The guys up front worked hard and Jessie ran hard,” Paris coach Brent Southworth said.

Meanwhile, the Panthers were unable to produce anything on the ground. After having a 50-yard touchdown run called back on their second play from scrimmage, the Panthers never again came close to breaking a play.

North Lamar finished with just one rushing first down, which didn’t come until a little over a minute remaining in the ballgame.

The Panther’s longest rush was an 8-yard trap in the second quarterback by fullback Tyler Michael. Henderson had nine rushes that went eight yards or longer.

North Lamar’s leading rusher, Ryan LaFountain had 176 yards entering the game, but managed just six yards on 13 carries.

[Lefty]

I can't wait to see that kid with a Pony on his helmet!