MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Lee-Montgomery Generals rolled up 568 of total yards of offense and scored a touchdown of eight of their nine possessions as they go on to defeat Jeff Davis 59-14 Thursday night in the Cramton Bowl. Big nights by quarterback Tyrone Franklin, running backs Reggie Davis and Kyrie Hill led the way for the Generals big night.
The Generals get their first region win of the season and look to get many more as the season goes. "We finally came out tonight and played an okay game," said Generals head coach Eric Hudson. "It wasn't a complete game and there are still things we need to get better at. We improved this game on not having many penalties and the quarterback play was better not having any turnovers coming into this game with four interceptions."
Lee-Montgomery (3-0) opened the scoring on a Franklin pass to Justin Brown on a 19-yard touchdown pass play for the Generals. The extra point was missed and the Generals led 6-0 with 7:25 left in the first quarter. With 4:03 left in the first quarter, Jeff Davis took the lead on a Marcus Webb 2-yard touchdown run. The extra point gave the Vols a 7-6 lead.
With Lee getting the ball back, Davis ripped of a 44-yard run to set up the Generals next score. A few plays later, Davis scores on a 13-yard run and the Generals took back the lead at 12-7. Again the extra point failed. With 6:54 left in the second quarter, Franklin to Jamari Smith on a 29-yard pass play gave the Generals an 18-7 lead, but this time the 2-point conversion failed.
With 1:10 left before halftime, the Generals are driving again and Franklin calls his own number and scores on a 1-yard run. Brown scores on the 2-point conversion and the Generals lead 26-7. With just :16 seconds before the half, defensive back Kendrick Simpkins steps in front of a Vols pass and goes 40-yards for a pick six and a back breaker for the Vols. "The quarterback looked at his receiver the whole time and I just read it," said Generals DB Simpkins. "We talked about this play on film with my coaches and I just went with my instincts. The defense is doing a good job of listening to our coaches and trusting the process. We still have things to work on and the road is going to get harder so we just have to keep working as a unit."
The extra point was missed again and the Generals led 32-7 at the half. The good thing in the first half is that Lee scored five touchdowns but the bad things they only scored on a 2-point conversion after those five scores. "Were gelling great right now, every day we go to practive we work hard on our running game cause it is our bread and butter," said Generals RB Davis. "We came in focused ready to play tonight. That made a big difference for us. We hungry and we want to win a championship. It's nice beating Jeff Davis our rival. We want to win our 7A region and win it all." On the night, Davis had 148 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns with 79 yards on three catches.
Franklin had a monster game for the Generals. "Coach always talks about take what the defense gives us and play fast," said the Generals QB Franklin. "The guys around me played great. We will keep working hard and I thank my coaches and teammates for keep believing in me." The senior quarterback completed 15-of-18 passing for 228 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Also, he had 31 yards on 4 carries and a touchdown. Franklin has offers from Alabama State, Jackson State, Bethune Cookman and William and Mary and you can see why schools are knocking on his doors. Look for the list to grow as the season goes on.
In the second half, Lee kept the pressure on the rest of the night. With 9:49 left in the third quarter, Davis scored on a 4-yard touchdown run and the Generals led 38-7 and they were not done yet. As some General fan was yelling we want 50 points coach, his wish came true and more. With 4:19 left in the third quarter, Franklin to Demarshia Davis on a 19-yard scoring play game the Generals. With the extra point, the Generals led 45-7.
With :29 seconds left in the third quarter, Brian Thomas scores on a 16-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good again and the Generals led 52-7 going into the fourth quarter. With 5:17 left in the game, Josh Richardson scores for Jeff Davis on a 12-yard touchdown run and the Generals lead is 52-14.
With subs in all over the field in the fourth quarter, freshman receiver Darryl Sees sets up the Generals last touchdown on a 12-yard play and a first down. On the next play, Kairi Hill scores on a 41-yard touchdown run and the Generals make the final score 59-14. Hill finished the night with 92 yards on 5 carries and the touchdown.
The Generals defense contiues its strong play and will need it down the road with region games with Auburn, Central-Phenix City and Prattville. Carlton Smith had 10 tackles and a sack. James Russell had seven tackles and a interception. Simpkins added five tackles and his pick six.
Up next for both teams, Lee will travel to Auburn in a big Class 7A, Region 2 game while Jeff Davis has the week off.
