Malvern 22, Jacksonville 14- Defense and Takeaways Decide

Published On: September 2, 2025Categories: High School, News

Malvern 22, Jacksonville 14- Defense and Takeaways Decide

Malvern leaned on defense and situational offense to edge Jacksonville 22–14 in Week Zero. Quarterback Kyler Wright (QB/DE, ’26) threaded two touchdown passes—first to Aiden Delamar (CB, ’26) on a 2‑yard slant before halftime and later to Kahlen Cooper (WR, ’26) on a quick strike that restored a third‑quarter lead. Jacksonville answered behind running back Mason Ball (RB, ’27), whose 32‑yard burst tied the game, and the Titans punched in from a yard out to make it 14–14 early in the fourth.

From there, the Leopards finished. Tavien Clegg (RB, ’26) bounced an 8‑yard run off left tackle for the go‑ahead score, and Devon Juniel (RB/MLB, ’26) powered in the two‑point conversion for 22–14. Malvern’s defense slammed the door: David Hutchins (DB, ’26) intercepted a pass to end the first quarter and recovered a goal‑line fumble with two minutes left to deny Jacksonville’s last surge.

For Malvern, Jarrett Hathcock (TE/P, ’27) repeatedly flipped field position, while Alan Cervantes (K, ’27) was perfect on placements and drove kickoffs deep. Jacksonville’s Bryston Belew (QB, ’26) managed the passing game and used tempo to extend drives, with help from receivers Keyshawn Glenn (WR, ’26) and Matthew Goldsberry (WR/DB, ’26) in the return and screen game.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter — No scoring.
2nd Quarter Malvern – Aiden Delamar 2‑yd pass from Kyler Wright (Alan Cervantes kick), Malvern 7–0.
3rd Quarter Jacksonville – Mason Ball 32‑yd run (kick good), 7–7.
3rd Quarter Malvern – Kahlen Cooper 8‑yd pass from Kyler Wright (Cervantes kick), Malvern 14–7.
4th Quarter Jacksonville – 1‑yd run (kick good), 14–14.
4th Quarter Malvern – Tavien Clegg 8‑yd run (Devon Juniel 2‑pt rush), Malvern 22–14.

Players Who Stood Out

Kyler Wright (Malvern QB/DE, ’26) — 2 TD passes.
Aiden Delamar (Malvern CB, ’26) — TD catch; interception.
David Hutchins (Malvern DB, ’26) — Interception; goal‑line fumble recovery.
Mason Ball (Jacksonville RB, ’27) — 32‑yd TD; explosive rushes.
Keyshawn Glenn (Jacksonville WR, ’26) — Field‑position flips in return game.