Close to a Record

Eight more yards against the Springdale Bulldogs and Desmond Wilson (#26) would have claimed the school single game rushing record from George Shorthose. George set the record of 310 yards in 1978.


Desmond on the move


In the paper:

News Tribune

9/1/2007
Wilson rumbles for 303 yards as Jays post wild win over Bulldogs

Desmond Wilson sparked a 525-yard ground assault by rushing for 303 yards and four touchdowns as the Jefferson City Jays won a wild 57-33 season-opening decision over the Springdale, Ark., Bulldogs Friday night at Adkins Stadium.

Quarterback Brad Allen also had a big night for the Jays, as he rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns. The junior completed 7-of-8 passes for 122 yards and a score.

While the teams combined to score 87 points, it was the Jefferson City defense that proved to be the difference in the second half.

The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas

8/29/07
Springdale Draws Tough Opener

For its opener on Friday, Springdale High could have picked a less formidable opponent than Jefferson City, Mo.

Bulldogs coach Kevin Johnson, who watched Jefferson City scrimmage both Rockbridge High and Hickman High of Columbia, Mo., on the same night, came away impressed.

"They go from a pro offense with a spread on one play to an I-formation backfield on the next," Johnson said. "We'll have to jump back and forth to try to stop their passing and running."

"From what I saw in the scrimmage, they must be one of the best teams in Missouri," he (Springdale Coach Johnson) said.

8/30/07
Escape From Jeff City

Jarrell Williams took one look at the Jefferson City game program and shuddered.

This was 1982, and Springdale High's football coach had had trouble scheduling nonconference games in Arkansas. So, he had agreed to travel to Missouri to play the powerhouse Jays.

It's been 25 (years) since the memorable contest, but the memory is fresh -- even as the two schools to meet once again in Jefferson City tonight at 7 p.m.

Williams recalled, "When I mentioned Jefferson City's record, one of our players said, "Coach, after tonight it will be 262-12."

Sure enough, it was.

After the game, Jays fans were waiting for the Bulldogs.

"It was the first time I ever experienced that," Williams said. "Normally, when the game is over it's over. But we had to walk up a hill after the game and there were fans on both sides of the walk, screaming at us and calling us every name in the book."

9/1/07
Bulldogs Drop Shootout At Jefferson City

"He's (Desmond Wilson) the real deal," Springdale coach Kevin Johnson said of Wilson. "He's hard to tackle and he's elusive.

"We challenged our defensive guys at halftime," said Jefferson City coach Ted LePage. "Once we adjusted, we were fine."

The Bulldogs finished with 501 total yards, while the Jays racked up 657 total yards.