By GALE CAVNESS
pressbox1.com

SELMER - In their first road contest of the 2007 campaign, the Dyer County Choctaws made the long trek to McNairy County Central.

After taking a 38-7 pounding, the ride home must have felt a lot longer.

The Bobcats ran over, around and through the Dyer County defense with ease on the way to their third consecutive victory while handing the visiting Choctaws their first setback of the season. In the first half, McNairy Central rolled up 207 yards rushing and built a commanding 24-0 advantage.

McNairy Central scored more points in the first quarter (10) than Dyer County had allowed combined in back-to-back wins at home over Liberty and Huntingdon. And, while the ground game had been so critical in their first two contests, the Choctaws managed just 16 yards rushing in the first half and only 35 total rushing yards against the Bobcats.

The Choctaws, 2-1, will try to get back on track next week when they host Covington for a Region 7-3A clash. McNairy Central travels to Jackson to face Region 6-3A rival South Side.

The Bobcats wasted little taking control of the tussle with the Choctaws.

After holding the DC offense to a quick three-and-out on the game’s initial possession, the home team took a quick lead. With C.J. Simmons, Justin Mood and Darron Turner sharing the backfield duties with quarterback Jonathan Jones, the Bobcats promptly marched 68 yards in 10 plays.

Simmons picked up 11 yards on second down, Jones hit Turner with a 12-yard pass play and Simmons came back with a 32-yard scamper to get the ball to the DC four. Mood took it from there, getting two yards with his first effort and two more for the score at the 5:07 mark of the first frame.

John Smith booted the first of his five perfect conversion kicks for McNairy and the home team was off and running.

An interception ended Dyer County’s second possession and set up The Bobcats’ next score. Starting inside the Choctaw 30, McNairy Central settled for a 28-yard field goal by Smith and a 10-0 lead.

Following another DC punt, Simmons took a big gainer 35 yards around the right end to put the Bobcats off and running again. An 11 yard pass from Jones to Logan Chapel and a nine-yard burst by Turner pushed the ball to the Choctaw 28 where Simmons did the rest.

Midway into the second stanza, it was a 17-0 game.

Dyer County went three-and-out again, giving McNairy Central the ball at its own 40. Nine plays later, Mood broke a tackle behind the line of scrimmage and scored from seven yards out. Smith’s kick put DC in a 24-point deficit.

The Choctaws lost the ball on downs on their final possession before intermission and Jones took a knee for the Bobcats to end the half.

Both squads swapped punts to open the third stage before a big defensive play put more points on the board for the home team.

A Dyer County pass attempt from deep in its own territory was deflected and intercepted by McNairy Central’s Jermael Bingham and returned 18 yards for another touchdown. Smith added the PAT to push the DC deficit to 31.

Simmons set up the final touchdown for the host squad with a 24-yard burst to the Choctaws 17 late in the third quarter. Turner scored the final six-pointer with 39 ticks remaining in the third quarter and Smith capped it off with another conversion kick.

Dyer County’s only points came in the fourth quarter after game officials had instituted the new "mercy rule" established by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association this season. When a team opens a lead of 35 points or more, the official clock operator may allow the clock to run continuously.

Down 38-0 to open the final period, the Choctaws began their lone scoring march at their own 40. Adam Clark, the DC quarterback, hit Jared Hunter for a 13-yard pass and run gain and found Erick Bernard for a gain of 12 to get the drive moving.

Jeff Miller picked up two yards on the ground from the McNairy 20 and Clark found Gabriel Millan with a pass to the home nine. An outlet pass from Clark to B.A. Davis pushed the ball to the five.

Miller got four yards and Davis powered in with the last one to put DC on the board with 6:04 to play. Millan’s kick closed out the scoring.

McNairy Central head coach Tommy Browder admitted some concerns prior to the contest about how his inexperienced offense would do against the DC defense. The Bobcats returned just two starters on offense from last year’s squad.

"I wasn’t sure how we were going to match up with them," Browder said following the contest. "I feel pretty good right now."

Despite the lopsided score, Browder gave credit to the DC defensive line for its physical play and strength. And he credited his offensive backs for hitting holes, making moves and finding rushing room.

"They were tougher on defense than I thought they’d be," he explained. "We were able to . . . get outside. We sure didn’t beat ‘em on the line."

The Bobcats finished the night 16 first downs and 263 yards rushing. Dyer County totaled just 147 yards in the game and only six first downs, four coming on the team’s lone scoring drive.

Simmons led all rushers with 149 yards on just 11 carries.