Football: Jefferson 30, Hillsborough 14

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TAMPA — There were times Friday night when Jefferson’s offense couldn’t help but go backward against Hillsborough, its huddle backpedaling with the typical flurry of flags that usually accompanies a regular-season opener.

But to the Dragons it wasn’t a problem, not when you have receivers like Andre Davis and Chris Moore.

After an offseason full of hype, Jefferson looked every part of a state champion contender against its cross-city rival, beating the Terriers 30-14 at Sam Horton Field with the help of the big play.

“Besides the state game, this will be our biggest game,” Moore said. “They’re our rivals, and it’s the first game of the year, so it sparks us.”

Moore caught a 74-yard touchdown pass to break a 7-7 tie in the second quarter, and Davis hauled in a 96-yarder to open the second half with a score, catching quarterback Quentin Williams’ delivery with his left hand.

“I just threw it and all I heard was the crowd and I was like 'Okay,’ ” said Williams, who threw for 258 yards and three  touchdowns.

On the final play of a scoreless first quarter, Jefferson converted a fake punt on fourth and 14 near midfield when Williams connected with Moore on a  leaping two-handed grab as the receiver was falling back out of play.

“One of the best high school catches I’ve ever seen,” Jefferson coach Mike Fenton said. “I think that sparked us.”

Three plays later Williams connected with tight end Ramik Wilson over the middle for the game’s first touchdown.

After Jefferson took a 21-7 lead after touchdown throws to Moore (four catches, 120 yards) and Davis (five catches, 129 yards), the Dragons added a safety on a bad Hillsborough snap that bounced into the end zone.

Still, Hillsborough was sparked by starting wide receiver Charles Lovett as quarterback. And trailing 23-14 in the fourth, the Terriers were driving for a score when cornerback Rashad Dunnigan scooped up a fumble and ran it back 89 yards to seal the game.

“We made every mistake you could possibly make in the history of football,” Hillsborough coach Earl Garcia said. “They’re awfully talented. You can’t do that against an average football team, let alone an above average football team.”

The teams combined for 23 penalties totaling 185 yards.

“It was a little sloppy on both sides of the ball,” Fenton said. “We kept giving each other breaks. We made some big plays when we had to.”

Teams in post

• Hillsborough High School
• Jefferson High School