E.A. Sports Today

Ron runs wild

Jacksonville junior Wiggins rushes for 254 yards, five touchdowns as Golden Eagles go to 3-0 in rout of Ashville

By East Alabama Sports Today

JACKSONVILLE – Ron Wiggins has clearly embraced the role as Jacksonville’s new featured running back.

The junior split time with senior Macey Carr last season and gained valuable experience, but in 2018, as the back around whom the Golden Eagles’ running game is based, he’s off and running.

Wiggins encroached on a couple school records Friday night – certainly bests in the Clint Smith coaching era – when he rushed for 254 yards and all five touchdowns on 12 carries as the Golden Eagles overran Ashville 33-7.

His big night started right out of the gate when he ran 52 yards on the Golden Eagles’ first play of the game. He also scored on runs of 32, 63, 1 and 20 yards, and had a pass reception for 20 yards.

“Ron has just really accepted his role this year on the team as our feature back,” Smith said. “Last year he split time with Macey Carr and improved as the year went on.

“He’s got five guys up front who’ve got a lot of experience and he does a really good job of trusting his blocks and using his vision. He’s just got another gear and was able to turn the corner and bust through the holes tonight and there was just no turning back once he broke the line of scrimmage.”

The Golden Eagles, 3-0 for the fifth time in Smith’s seven seasons as coach, scored on three of their first four possessions and opened a 27-0 halftime lead.

Quarterback Luke Jackson completed 9 of 12 passes for 87 yards. Jewels Gray caught six balls for 57 yards.

“You have to respect our passing game a little bit more now,” Smith said. “People can’t stack the box against us.”

Omarion Adams led Jacksonville’s defense with six tackles, four for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery. James Dingler also had six tackles, three for loss.

Jacksonville 33, Ashville 7

Scoring summary
Ashville 0 0 7 0 – 7
Jacksonville 13 14 6 0 – 33

J – Ron Wiggins 52 run (DeMarien Stewart kick), 11:41 1Q
J – Ron Wiggins 32 run (kick failed), 8:36 1Q
J – Ron Wiggins 63 run (DeMarien Stewart kick), 9:13 2Q
J – Ron Wiggins 1 run (DeMarien Stewart kick), 0:33 2Q
J – Ron Wiggins 20 run (kick failed), 5:15 3Q
A – Kolby Armstrong 19 run (Reid Eastis kick), 0:52 3Q

Cover photo: Ron Wiggins has embraced his role as Jacksonville’s lead back. Photo by B.J. Franklin.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login