Middlesboro’s attempt to notch third in the district didn’t go according to plan on Friday when the team traveled to Somerset. Still trying to recover from injuries, the Yellow Jackets couldn’t stop the explosive passing attack of the Briar Jumpers as Somerset sent Middlesboro packing with a 53-0 loss.

With the defeat, the Jackets will end the regular season fourth in the district and began planning a trip to Prestonsburg for the first round of the playoffs. The Briar Jumpers lock up the No.3 seed in the district and will travel to Shelby Valley.

Middlesboro’s offense was held stationary throughout the game. Owen McWilliams led the team in rushing with 15 yards on 12 carries.

Anthony Jackson was held without a rushing yard on nine carries. He also finished the night with three completions for 11 yards. Sebastian Wagoner was the receiver to net positive yards ending with 10 on his solo catch.

Mason Reece put his arm on showcase Friday finishing the night with 306 yards and four touchdowns on 17 completions. Kade Grundy and Josh Cornett were the main targets in the passing game. Grundy finished with 131 yards and three touchdowns on four receptions, while Cornett netted 113 yards and a touchdown on six catches.

Ty Tevis led the team on the ground with 72 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Mikey Garland finished with 34 yards on three carries. Vernon Wilson ended with 6 yards and a touchdown on his lone carry.

Somerset wasted little time finding the end zone. The Jumpers scored 19 points in the first quarter alone. Tevis kicked things off with a 48-yard touchdown run with 9:06 remaining in the first to give Somerset a 6-0 lead.

With 5:41 remaining in the first, Reese hit Cornett on a 26-yard strike to increase the lead to 13-0. Tevis found the end zone one more time before the first quarter ended with a 2-yard touchdown run to give Somerset a 19-0 lead at the end of one.

Reese connected with Grundy twice in the second quarter to increase the lead to 33-0 heading into halftime. The first came on a 17-yard strike with 9:31 remaining in the half. The second on a 45-yard heave with 5:03 remaining in the second.

Somerset continued the onslaught in the second half scoring twice in the third and once in the fourth to earn the 53-point victory.

Up Next

Middlesboro (2-7) finishes the regular season hosting Williamsburg (6-3) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Somerset has a bye week before entering the playoffs.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-302-9090 or on Twitter @AnthonyCloudMDN