NORTH JACKSON — The Brian Shaner era at Jackson-Milton got off to a solid start. Fending off a second half surge from Mathews, the Blue Jays held on to dispatch the Mustangs, 20-13.

“It feels really good to win,” Shaner said. “These kids, I wanted them to be 1-0 so bad. They had a great offseason. I knew Mathews, that team’s ready to win. They were built to win and our guys, they just gutted it out.”

Jackson-Milton struck first, grounding and pounding its way down the field, culminating in a 5-yard rushing touchdown by DJ Osborne.

Mathews responded in-kind on the ground, with Drew Spagnoletta rushing in from seven yards out.

The Blue Jays retook the lead late, with senior quarterback Jack McDevitt connecting with Jeremy Fishel on a 7-yard strike.

In the second half, Mathews responded

See Full Page