By Richard Greene Assistant Editor
Jarail Johnson and the 2004 Pilot Point Bearcats made a strong debut Friday night at Massey Stadium.
Johnson scored three times and accounted for 168 all-purpose yards, including a 56-yard punt return in the Bearcats' 22-13 win over the St. Mark's Lions. Johnson also broke up three passes on defense.
"He played well, but we expect him to," said Pilot Point coach G.A. Moore, who picked up career win 406 with the victory.
"This was a typical first night. We made some mistakes that I wish we wouldn't have made. But I was tickled to get the win. That's a good ball club."
Johnson rushed for 102 yards on 12 carries, scoring two touchdowns on the ground. He was one of two Pilot Point backs to finish with more than 100 yards. Grant Guthrie led Pilot Point with 125 yards on 21 carries.
Pilot Point finished with 260 yards rushing behind its offensive line that returned three starters from last year.
"Our offensive line is tremendous," Johnson said. "They really came through. They did all the work. This was all on the line.
"We had a good week of practice and were focused on St. Mark's."
The Pilot Point defense limited St. Mark's to 223 total yards. The Bearcats held the Lions to 14 yards in the first quarter.
St. Mark's was able to manage scoring drives of seven and eight plays in each half to get within nine points with 8:47 left to play.
The Lions tried to go for two after scoring on a 9-yard pass from Barry Newell to Matthew Bryant in the fourth quarter. Calvin Washington turned away the threat with a sack of Newell.
The Bearcat defense recorded five sacks on the night.
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