BACK TO FOOTBALL PAGE


BeaconNewsOnline.com

Jernigan delivers on special teams

September 8, 2007
By Greg Burks Special to the Beacon News


PLANO--If the term 'special teams' was listed in the dictionary, it would likely include a picture of Plano football player Kevin Jernigan.

The junior standout does a little bit of everything for the Reapers' special teams unit. He kicks off, handles extra points and kicks field goals.

In his spare time, Jernigan even returns kickoffs.

"I played a little bit at safety over the summer," said Jernigan, who is listed as a kicker and defensive back. "But I haven't really seen much (time at safety) this year."

Jernigan was at his best on Friday evening at Reaper Stadium. He connected on three field goals and also made a touchdown saving tackle on a Reed Custer kick return as Plano squeaked out a 9-7 win.

The Reapers improved to 3-0 overall with the win, while Reed Custer slipped to 2-1. The game was an Interstate Eight crossover, with Plano representing the I-8 Small division and the Comets the I-8 Large.

"As long as you keep winning, you can feel good about that," said Plano coach Jim Green. "We know we can play better."

Both teams struggled to move the ball in the opening half, as Plano took a 3-0 lead into the break on Jernigan's 25-yard field goal in the second quarter.

He also missed on attempts from 41 and 53 yards in the opening half.

Reed Custer turned the ball over twice in the first half. The first was a fumble that was recovered by Plano's Dan Peruski. The second came when Brian Green picked off Reed-Custer quarterback Casey Bernes in the second quarter.

The two teams combined for only 114 total yards of offense in the first half.

Plano ran over six minutes off the clock to start the second half. They capped a 12-play drive with 46-yard field goal from Jernigan to make it 6-0.

Reed Custer came back with their only substantial drive of the night, as they marched 86 yards in 16 plays. Bernes capped the drive, in which they converted on two fourth down situations, with a 2- yard touchdown run. Chris Robinson kicked the extra point to give the Comets a 7-6 lead with 9:07 remaining in the ball game.

"Our defense has been outstanding," said Green.

"That's the first touchdown they've given up this year. In three games, they've given up 10 points."

The Reapers were able to move the ball on their next possession, thanks mainly to one big play. On a 3rd-and-five from their own 43 yard line, Brian Green connected on a screen pass to Adam Iverson.

Iverson ran 40 yards to the Reed Custer 17. The play set up a Jernigan 29-yard field goal with 4:56 remaining to put Plano up 9-7.

"It's easy when there's a line that blocks, people that hold and nice snaps," said Jernigan. "All I have to do is put it through."

Field position also played a big part in the game as the Comets started all but one drive inside their own 25-yard line. Reed Custer's Mike Eller had a nice kickoff return in the second quarter, but Jernigan made a nice one-on-one tackle near midfield to save a potential touchdown.

"We had the one bad kickoff return where we gave them good field position," said Green. "Other than that, our kicking game and special teams were pretty darn good." Plano 9, Reed-Custer 7