Jays, trying to break four-game losing streak, host Battle for Homecoming

Jefferson City receiver Christian White finds space to run after making a catch during last Friday night's game against C.B.C. in St. Louis.
Jefferson City receiver Christian White finds space to run after making a catch during last Friday night's game against C.B.C. in St. Louis.

It appeared the Jefferson City Jays were on their way to their third straight victory against Battle last season, but three Spartan touchdowns helped Battle overcome a 10-point deficit in the final 10 minutes to win 40-33 in Columbia.

What happened last season is not lost on the Jays, who host Battle at 7 p.m. today at Adkins Stadium for Homecoming.

"You can't replicate last year, you can't play off last year, but you sure can remember," Jefferson City coach Ted LePage said. "And I know our players remember last year. This is a team that they've really developed a good rivalry with in a short time."

Battle and Jefferson City are teams headed in opposite directions. The Jays are on a four-game losing streak while the Spartans have won three straight by an average margin of 36.3 points.

Of course, the records of those opponents are quite different. The three consecutive wins for Battle came against teams with a combined record of 5-16. The Jays' last four opponents have a combined mark of 20-6.

Last week's 42-15 defeat for the Jays came at No. 1 C.B.C. The undefeated Cadets were up 35-0 by halftime.

"Our practices were energized," LePage said. "I think last week got some enthusiasm out of the third and fourth quarter out at C.B.C. I think our players realized they can beat a good football team. It just takes a little bit more."

And it'll take stopping a Battle offense that averages more than 38 points per game.

The Spartans racked up nearly 500 yards last season against the Jays with quarterback Brevin Tyler, running back Hunter Smith and receiver Jaevon McQuitty.

That trio has been replaced by quarterback Jaren Lewis, running back Darren Jordan and receiver Drey Tyler.

"They haven't changed much," LePage said. "They are doing the same things they did. Their running back is a really good player, the offensive line is really big and physical, and the receivers really do a good job at running after the catch. They are putting their players in space, and if you miss, it goes for a touchdown."

Lewis has completed about 60 percent of his passes and Jordan, who has replaced an injured Nate Ferguson, has already surpassed 600 yards on the ground.

"They want to play a controlled game," LePage said. "Run, run run, short passes, then they take their calculated shots."

Lewis is also a threat on the ground.

"This young man is a bigger player, he's a more physical runner," LePage said. "He's not the elusive runner Brevin Tyler was, but he's more like Devin (Roberson). He's built a lot like Devin, and he distributes the ball well on throwing it too."

The Jays defense has hit a rough patch the past four weeks, allowing an average of about 450 yards per game. But 290 of the 421 yards allowed against Rock Bridge two weeks ago came on four plays.

"If we line up correctly, we make the right read and we tackle the football, we can make good things happen," LePage said. "We've shown flashes of being really good on defense and making great plays. But our great plays come off great eye discipline of reading our keys. This is a team that you've got to read keys."

The offense has also been inconsistent, but it has moved the ball well at times even during the losing streak.

Roberson has completed 25-of-52 passes for 431 yards the past two weeks. But the rushing attack has stalled, only managing a combined 75 yards in the past two games.

Opposing teams haven't found much success moving the ball against the Spartans, who have recorded a pair of shutouts the past two weeks.

"They are a big, physical defensive line," LePage said. "They take up all their gaps. They play a four-man front to try to make you block with your five guys. Their three linebackers are extremely fast and physical. Trey Morris, No. 10, he's just a phenomenal linebacker. He covers sideline to sideline. It seems like wherever the ball is, he is."

Morris is approaching 100 tackles with two regular season games remaining.

Battle has allowed less than 10 points in four games this season, but has given up more than 25 points twice.

"The things that have worked against them are people that have just stayed true to what they do," LePage said. "When somebody gets away from what they do, it opens up the gates. When you try to do things out of the ordinary against them, you make mistakes."

Related media:

Jefferson City Jays Football Podcast [Battle preview, Oct. 6, 2017]