By GALE CAVNESS
pressbox1.com

DYERSBURG - A new spark on offense and the same solid defense helped the Dyersburg Trojans get back in the win column Friday night against visiting Jackson North Side.

The Trojans got a balanced rushing effort, an efficient passing outing from Jason Click in his first start at quarterback and good special teams play to post a 38-19 triumph over the Indians at J.C. Sawyer Stadium. Click, a senior who had been a runner out of the DHS backfield, was moved behind center after the squad struggled for offense in a 6-3 setback the previous week at Haywood County.

After just three full days of practice at his new position, Click was 5-for-7 passing for 71 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 44 yards on 12 carries.

"I thought he did well," Dyersburg head coach James Counce said Saturday. "We looked a lot better on offense." Cordarious Mann, North Side speedster who rushed for more than 2,000 yards in 2007, turned in a big night for the Indians. The senior dynamo ran for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns against the Dyersburg defense and posted a goal line-to-goal line kick return for another score. But the Trojans kept the Indians under control and turned the early 6-0 deficit into a big lead by scoring 31 consecutive points on the North Side defense.

Dyersburg (2-1) will try to even its mark against Region 7-3A foes this week when the Obion County Central Rebels come calling.

After North Side took the early advantage Friday night, Dyersburg senior Justin Whitfield switched momentum to the home team in a hurry. Whitfield returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards for a touchdown that got the Trojans on a roll.

Before the Indians could get back into the end zone, Dyersburg had a 31-6 cushion.

"It's a lot better to win," Counce added. "It felt good."

Counce was especially pleased to see the offensive unit control the clock, keep the defense off the field and get through the game without committing a turnover.

Dyersburg ran 59 plays from scrimmage. North Side snapped the football 37 times.

The Trojans got a 98-yard rushing effort and two touchdowns from Xavier Taylor and 52 yards on the ground and another six-pointer from Tyler Lyons.

Junior tight end Levi Estes hauled in three of Click's passes for 47 yards, including one snag for a touchdown. Senior kicker Kyle Youmans set a Dyersburg school record about five minutes into the final frame with a field goal from 49 yards. The boot bested the previous mark, a 42-yard effort from Shane Normandin in 2003.

After struggling in Brownsville, Chase Brown recorded some quality playing time in the second half. Brown, a junior who missed his sophomore season due to injury, directed the Trojans to their final touchdown.

Dyersburg did lose a player to injury in the contest. According to DHS principal Mickey Mahon, Travis O'Neal was lost for season with damage to his left knee that required surgery.

O'Neal intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against Memphis Frayser in the Trojans' season-opening win.