Parker quarterback Malik Muhammad threw three touchdowns and his defense allowed less than 100 yards as the Class 6A fourth-ranked Thundering Herd cruised to a 49-6 win over rival Jackson-Olin on Thursday in a Region 5 showdown.

Parker (3-0) leaped into action on the initial drive of the game, marching 65 yards and taking a 7-0 lead on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Muhammad to Amari Brundidge, but muffed a punt after forcing a three-and-out on the Mustangs’ first possession. The Thundering Herd forced a consecutive three-and-out, but turned the ball over on a fumble following a 2-yard run by Brundidge.

Jackson-Olin failed to convert for a third straight possession and the Thundering Herd expanded its lead to 14-0 on a 4-yard touchdown run from Brundidge, capping a 7-play, 58-yard drive. Parker forced a fourth straight three-and-out of the Jackson-Olin offense and padded its lead on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Muhammad to Kentrell Davis.

The Mustangs converted their only two first downs of the first half on consecutive plays to open its next drive, but Jackson-Olin quarterback Marquarius Davis was strip-sacked on the third play. Parker defensive lineman Jourdin Crawford picked up the fumble and returned it 60 yards for a score and a 28-0 lead heading into the halftime break.

Jackson-Olin (0-3) prevented a shutout on its first possession of the second half, driving 50 yards in five plays and capping the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Ty’kee Thomas, but failed to convert a 2-point conversion for a 28-6 deficit early in the third quarter.

The Thundering Herd responded, scoring on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Jelks, and extended the lead to 41-6 on a 3-yard run by backup quarterback Cam Jennings on the first play of the final frame. Jackson-Olin turned the ball over once more in the fourth quarter and Chancellor Sparks scored three plays later on a 2-yard run.

Star of the game: Brundidge. The senior running back got the job done for the Thundering Herd in both the running and passing games, amassing 152 total yards — 78 rushing and 74 receiving — and a rushing and receiving touchdown.

By the numbers: …5, the total number of sacks and turnovers each combined by both teams. …2, the total number of first downs allowed by Parker in the first half, both coming on Jackson-Olin’s penultimate drive of the second quarter. …0, the number of third-down conversions (0-for-9) allowed by the Parker defense.

Stat sheet: Parker – Muhammad finished 9-of-15 passing for 132 yards and three touchdowns and had 27 yards on the ground. Martavius Purnell added 72 yards on 13 rushing attempts and Chancellor Sparks had 47 yards on five carries. Jelks had three receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown and Davis had two catches for 24 yards and a score. Defensively, Parker held the Mustangs to only 96 yards total. Jackson-Olin – Davis was 3-of-12 for 52 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, and Aydden Moody led the rushing effort with 10 carries for 44 yards. Thomas scored a touchdown on his only reception of the game.

Coachspeak: “We’re still making so many penalties, we got to fix them. Overall, we made mistakes that can be fixed but we made some plays when we were supposed to. Our defense, I’m trying to get them to understand they have to be legendary and take every play seriously. I’m proud of them guys.” — Parker’s Frank Warren

What’s next? Parker returns home to host Mortimer Jordan, while Jackson-Olin welcomes Minor.