NORTH VERNON — Floyd Central picked apart the Jennings County defense early in Friday’s Hoosier Hills Conference football matchup.
The Highlanders scored on their first three possession and went on to defeat the Panthers 45-6.
“We physically got dominated all night up front on both sides of the ball” Jennings coach Rick Zimmerman said. “I felt like our effort was not there in the second half after (Floyd Central) got up by three or four touchdowns. I know it’s hard when you are struggling and playing a good team like Floyd Central. We have to continue supporting each other and go from there.”
On its first possession, Floyd Central quarterback Matthew Weimer did more damage with his feet than his arms, finishing the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run.
Jennings (0-8, 0-6) answered on the ensuing possession. Tucker Marsh caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Brock Ernstes to cut the lead to 7-6 after a missed extra point attempt.
The Highlanders responded back when running back Devon Stikes went in from 8 yards out to extend the lead 14-6.
After a Panthers punt, the Floyd Central lead grew when Weimer saw open space from the right hand side of the field and scored from 14 yards out. A key play in the drive was a 34-yard pass from Weimer to Colt May to set up the touchdown run.
Things did not get better for Jennings in the second half. The Panthers tried an onside kick to start the half, but they failed to recover. On the Highlanders’ next play from scrimmage, Brandon Striegel ran it in from 51 yards out for a 28-6 lead.
With Jennings forced to throw, quarterback Brock Ernstes threw two interceptions in the third quarter. Floyd Central converted on both of the turnovers to extend the lead 38-6.
The final score for the Highlanders came when Jason Cundiff ran 33 yards for a touchdown.
