Jabari Collier leads Center Point past Oxford
Center Point used a simple game plan against Oxford on Friday: Run, run and run some more.
Senior quarterback Jabari Collier ran for 180 yards, including TD runs of 5, 73 and 75 yards, and Tony Bruce Jr. ran for a score and caught TD pass from Collier in the 41-24 victory. The Eagles (8-1 overall, 5-1 in region play) have won four in a row and Friday’s win secures the No. 2 seed in Class 6A, Region 6.
“He’s just special,” Center Point coach George Bate said, referring to Collier. “He’s been like that all year. He’s truly a dual-threat guy. At any given moment between No. 7 (Troy Bruce Jr.), No. 10 (Jabari Collier) and No. 1 (Harold Holloman), when the game is quiet, they can bring everybody to their feet really quick.”
Big plays: Collier broke the game open when he called his own number on a run/pass option for a 75-yard touchdown run in the second half. Set up by a block by his wide receiver, he outran the defense for a 73-yard touchdown run on the next series.
Coachspeak: “This game locks us is at No. 2 (in the region), so we’ll be home first round of the playoffs. Our word of the week was ‘bulwark,; which means strong protection. Protect your house, protect the nest. We wanted to finish undefeated at home this season.” – Bates
“Me as the head coach for Oxford, did not have our guys ready to play. I think that was pretty obvious. We got up 3-0 at the beginning of the game and didn’t answer the bell after that.” – Oxford coach Sam Adams
Stat sheet: Collier finished 10-of-14 passing 124 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. … The Eagles rushed for 271 yards on 29 carries. … Oxford quarterbacks Mason Mims and Eli Bozeman combined for 12-of-16 passing for 118 yards, and freshman Caleb Wynn carried the ball 20 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
They said it: “We have an explosive back in (Troy) Bruce. The defensive end went him on the option play. I saw a lane, and I took it. Shout-out to my receiver Harold Holloman, he’s the one that made it happen.” — Collier, describing his second long touchdown run
“We had a strong game last game, and we played a strong game tonight. We are just worried about seeding and finishing strong.” – Bruce Jr.
What’s next?: Oxford (4-5, 3-3) play Jacksonville next week, while the Eagles hit the road to take on Leeds.