Parker quarterback Malik Muhammad accounted for four touchdowns and three players eclipsed the century mark on the ground as the fourth-ranked Thundering Herd rumbled to a 62-28 victory over Mortimer Jordan on Friday in a Class 6A, Region 5 showdown at Major Brown Memorial Stadium in Birmingham.

Parker (4-0, 2-0) amassed 664 total yards of offense, rushing for 495 yards, and forced three sacks and a turnover on defense.

The Thundering Herd did not have to wait long to deploy its offensive juggernaut, defensive back Na’eem Offord picking off Mortimer Jordan’s Garrett Ames on the opening possession, and quickly built a 13-0 lead to open the second quarter following a 3-yard scoring run by Muhammad and a 7-yard touchdown pass from Muhammad to Chancellor Sparks.

Mortimer Jordan went three-and-out on its first drive of the second quarter, but recovered a fumble on the ensuing Parker possession when the ball was snapped before Muhammad was ready. Ames found Coleman Maldonado three plays later on an 11-yard touchdown pass, the first of three scoring connections between the two, but Amari Brundidge extended the lead back to two scores with a 61-yard touchdown run on the first play of the following drive.

Parker pushed its advantage to 28-7 near the end of the first half, scoring on a 62-yard run by Muhammad, but the Blue Devils prevented a second-half running clock on a 11-yard touchdown pass from Ames to Maldonado on the final play before the halftime break.

Muhammad saw his final action of the game on Parker’s second-half opening drive, guiding the Thundering Herd to a 42-14 lead with a 28-yard touchdown run from Martavius Purnell, and increased the advantage to 49-14 on a 73-yard touchdown from backup quarterback Cam Jennings to Jeremiah Jelks.

Mortimer Jordan (3-1, 1-1) wasted no time with a response, scoring on the first play of the ensuing drive on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Ames to Maldonado. The Thundering Herd added another score on the final play of the third frame, a 29-yard touchdown run by Brundidge, and the Blue Devils countered with a 26-yard scoring run by Ames.

Parker put the finishing touches on the rout midway through the final quarter and capped the scoring with a 41-yard touchdown run from Sparks.

Star of the game: Muhammad, The senior quarterback was efficient in the passing game, completing 7-of-9 passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, but did most of his damage on the ground with 147 yards and three touchdowns on only four rushing attempts.

“He did what he was supposed to tonight,” Parker coach Frank Warren said. “I tell him, ‘You’re an athlete, one of the best on the field,’ and if he continues to do that he’ll be a dangerous threat.”

Key sequence: Leading by four scores near the end of the first half, Parker allowed the Blue Devils to drive to its 38-yard line on the final possession and seemingly came away with a pick-6 to go up 42-7 and initiate a running clock scenario in the second half. However, the Thundering Herd was called for roughing the passer and Ames connected with Maldonado for an 11-yard touchdown on a final untimed down for a 14-point swing.

By the numbers: 5, the number of plays for Muhammad in the second half, after leading the Thundering Herd on an opening scoring drive, and the number of wins for Parker (5-0) in the series. …3, the number of roughing the passer calls on the Parker defense.

Stat sheet: Parker – Brundidge led the rushing effort for the Thundering Herd, finishing with 13 carries for 175 yards and two touchdowns, and Purnell added 104 yards and a score on 10 rushing attempts. Sparks amassed 69 yards and a score on the ground and added a 7-yard touchdown reception. Jennings was 6-for-11 for 114 yards and touchdown and Jelks had four catches for 102 yards and a score. Mortimer Jordan – Ames finished 13-of-38 for 226 yards, three touchdowns and an interception, and added 40 yards and a score on six rushing attempts. Terence Gaines had 17 carries for 80 yards and Maldonado had nine receptions for 151 yards and three scores.

Coachspeak: “We had drops and picks, roughing the passer, but we got to better on getting off the field and finishing drives.” — Parker’s Frank Warren

They said it: “Great team win. Offensive line did great, defense did well and they kept putting me on the field. I just play football and when they call my number, I know what I have to do and show it on the field.” — Muhammad

“They were a really good team and we battled. We made a lot of mistakes but there’s really nothing to learn. We just need to minimize our mistakes because we shouldn’t make that many as a defense.” — Offord

What’s next? Parker travels down the road to Gardendale, while Mortimer Jordan returns home to host Woodlawn.