Starr, Hopson Score Three Touchdowns Apiece as Nashville Tops Magnolia
Nashville 50, Magnolia 28
MAGNOLIA — Jakhari Starr rushed for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries, and Jacoby Hopson scored three touchdowns as Nashville defeated Magnolia 50-28 Friday. The Scrappers improved to 2-0.
Hopson finished with 63 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, plus two catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Nashville recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff, setting up Hopson’s 8-yard touchdown run. Bo Dean returned another fumble 69 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0.
Blake Moody’s first fumble recovery gave Nashville another possession. Quarterback DJ Jefferson found Hopson for a 55-yard touchdown on third-and-13, making it 21-0 with 1:42 remaining in the first quarter.
Magnolia answered with a touchdown run and two-point conversion by Tyce Jackson. Moody’s second recovery set up Starr’s 59-yard touchdown run on the next play, giving Nashville a 28-8 lead. Magnolia’s defense forced Nashville to punt twice during the first half.
Lightning stopped play with 57.3 seconds remaining before halftime. After play resumed, Starr scored again, and Hopson’s two-point run made it 36-8 with 31.3 seconds left.
Jamaijha Marshall returned the ensuing kickoff approximately 80 yards for a touchdown. Magnolia added a two-point run, cutting the halftime margin to 36-16.
Starr’s third touchdown finished Nashville’s opening possession of the second half. Marshall answered with a touchdown run on fourth-and-1, bringing Magnolia within 43-22 with 7:03 remaining in the third quarter.
Nashville then drove 90 yards. Hopson scored from the 1 on fourth-and-goal with 9:57 left in the fourth quarter. Byron Murillo’s sixth extra point made it 50-22.
Marshall added his third touchdown with 7:44 remaining, and Magnolia recovered the ensuing kickoff at midfield.
Trendon Northcross recovered a fumble at Nashville’s 38 with 7:07 left. Jefferson later converted fourth-and-4 with a keeper, and the Scrappers retained possession until the final kneeldowns.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Nashville – Jacoby Hopson 8-yard run (Byron Murillo kick), 10:03, Nashville 7-0.
Nashville – Bo Dean 69-yard fumble return (Byron Murillo kick), 3:36, Nashville 14-0.
Nashville – Jacoby Hopson 55-yard pass from DJ Jefferson (Byron Murillo kick), 1:42, Nashville 21-0.
Magnolia – Tyce Jackson touchdown run (Jackson run), 0:32.6, Nashville 21-8.
2nd Quarter
Nashville – Jakhari Starr 59-yard run (Byron Murillo kick), 6:39, Nashville 28-8.
Nashville – Jakhari Starr touchdown run (Jacoby Hopson run), 0:31.3, Nashville 36-8.
Magnolia – Jamaijha Marshall approximately 80-yard kickoff return (two-point run good), 0:12.7, Nashville 36-16.
3rd Quarter
Nashville – Jakhari Starr touchdown run (Byron Murillo kick), 10:27, Nashville 43-16.
Magnolia – Jamaijha Marshall touchdown run on fourth-and-1 (two-point run failed), 7:03, Nashville 43-22.
4th Quarter
Nashville – Jacoby Hopson 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal (Byron Murillo kick), 9:57, Nashville 50-22.
Magnolia – Jamaijha Marshall touchdown run (two-point run failed), 7:44, Nashville 50-28.
Players Who Stood Out
Jakhari Starr, Nashville running back: 26 carries for 264 yards and three touchdowns. His 59-yard touchdown came on the first play following Moody’s second fumble recovery. Added touchdowns immediately before halftime and on Nashville’s opening possession of the second half.
Jacoby Hopson, Nashville quarterback/cornerback: 12 carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns; two catches for 68 yards and one touchdown; one two-point conversion run. Caught a 55-yard touchdown on third-and-13 and scored from the 1 on fourth-and-goal.
Jamaijha Marshall, Magnolia slotback/returner: Three touchdowns — two rushing and one on a kickoff return of approximately 80 yards. His third-quarter touchdown came on fourth-and-1; his final touchdown brought Magnolia within 50-28 with 7:44 remaining.
Blake Moody, Nashville middle linebacker: 13 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Both recoveries led to touchdowns: Jefferson’s 55-yard pass to Hopson and Starr’s 59-yard run.
Bo Dean, Nashville linebacker: Five tackles and a 69-yard fumble-return touchdown. His first-quarter return extended Nashville’s lead to 14-0.