Brayden Jenkins rushed for four touchdowns to lead Class 6A, No. 3-ranked Theodore past McGIll-Toolen 37-10 tonight at Lipscomb Park in Mobile.

Jenkins ran for 171 yards on 26 carries to pace the Bobcats (8-0, 6-0 Region 1), who remained undefeated ahead of next week’s showdown against top-ranked Saraland.

After going into halftime tied 10-10, Jenkins scored three touchdowns and the Bobcats defense stifled McGill-Toolen, forcing five turnovers, including three interceptions.

Theodore’s two longest offensive drives resulted in rushing scores by Jenkins. The Bobcats opened the second half with an 11-play, 71-yard drive capped off by Jenkins’ 1-yard score to take the lead for good at 17-10.

“It took a lot of pressure off, that first drive of the second half,” Theodore coach Eric Collier said.

McGill-Toolen’s Anthony Eager, a South Alabama commit, caught three passes for 79 yards, including the Yellow Jackets’ only touchdown, a 65-yard reception from Andrew Murchison.

Star of the game: Jenkins did everything he could to carry the ground game, scoring on runs of 3 yards,1 yard, 5 and 21 yards. “We made some adjustments at halftime,” Jenkins said. “They were loading the box. After that first drive of the third quarter, we really carried the momentum.”

Jenkins’ longest gain of the night went for 31 yards.

Play of the game: With Theodore clinging to a 17-10 lead, Bobcats linebacker Demon Jones stepped in a passing lane, picked off a pass and returned it 37 yards for a score.

“It’s tough to win when you turn the ball over,” Collier said. “Fortunately, we were on the right side on those tonight.”

Stat sheet: Theodore’s Cameron Rigby passed for 86 yards. Tevaris Sullivan lead the Bobcats with five receptions. McGill-Toolen’s Tony Inge rushed for 42 yards but did not return after suffering an injury at the 1:36 mark of the third quarter. Murchison passed for 189 yards, connecting with five receivers.

By the numbers: 9 – Combined turnovers; 11 – straight regular season victories for Theodore.; 2019 – The last road regular season loss for the Bobcats.

Coachspeak: “We’ve got a few things to clean before next week. Part of our problem might have been peeking ahead.” — Collier.

“Theodore did a great job creating the turnovers. Some of them were self-inflicted, but they capitalized on them.” — McGill-Toolen coach Norman Joesph

They said it … : “The second half message was pretty simple: ‘Go out and execute.’ Once we did that, the results showed for us.” — Jenkins

What’s next? Theodore hosts Saraland. McGill-Toolen (4-4,3-3) plays at Blount.