Chiles football beat Leon 37-0, 4th shutout victory of the season | Week 8 Big Bend scores
Defense has been a noted strength of Chiles football this season.
The Timberwolves beat Leon 37-0 on a rainy Friday night to post their fourth shutout.
Picking up a sixth straight win over Leon, Chiles is 4-3 overall and 2-2 in the 4S District 2. The Timberwolves have one of the Big Bend's best defenses, allowing only 61 points in seven games this season.
"Different things have happened this season that our defense has played through all year," Chiles head coach Bill Ragans said. "Obviously, we have four shutouts, and then our three losses are all by less than a score, so I feel good about our ball club and I'm excited."
Chiles forced a number of turnovers against the Lions, grabbing two interceptions and fumbles. Ragans feels like the Timberwolves are continuing to get better every game. Their offense is finding their footing, too, scoring 72 points in the last two games,
Ragans is excited about the teams potential for the remainder of the season.
"We had our opportunities to put them away a little earlier, but it still was a good game," Ragans said. "We played really well on defense and our offense just continues to just grind and get better and better.
"So a lot of good things."
Junior running back BB Potter rushed for two touchdowns, with senior running back Ronnell Mosses and sophomore quarterback Taylor Jacobs adding one rushing touchdown each. Jacobs is in his first season as the starter for Chiles, and his game has grown as the season rolls on.
"I'm just really getting the experience," Jacobs said. "Just keeping myself poised, relying on my teammates to help me out and rely on my coaches. In the end like that reflects in what the score says."
Heading into the matchup with Leon, Jacobs had thrown for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns, with three of those touchdowns going to his brother, freshman Trevor Jacobs. Although the pair didn't connect for a touchdown against Leon, the brother's connection on the field continues to grow.
"Me and Trevor we have an unbreakable bond man, we've been doing this since we could walk honestly," Jacobs said. "Just being out here in high school with him is absolutely amazing, and that connection will just keep on getting stronger."
Controlling playoff destiny
Chiles closed out its district schedule with wins over the Lions and Crestview. Chiles missed out on a playoff spot last season after an FHSAA ruling, and this season the team doesn't want to leave its playoff hopes up to chance.
The win against Leon keeps Chiles in the hunt for the district championship and a chance to control its playoff destiny. Playing one of the most difficult schedules in their region, even if the Timberwolves don't win the district championship, their strength of schedule should give the program a bid to the playoffs if they win out.
"It's really a game changer," Jacobs said about the win over Leon. "It just goes to show that we deserve to be in the playoffs, like last year we got shut out of the playoffs, we relied on our record and it didn't work out. This year we don't want to rely on our record we want to make it for real."
Scores from the Big Bend
Thursday: Maclay 24, Munroe 21
The Marauders defense stepped up in a big way against the Bobcats, forcing three fumbles and interceptions, including the game-sealing pick from junior Nash Beshears.
Maclay travels to Zephyrhills Christian Academy in week nine, and Munroe travels to Pensacola Catholic.
St. John Paul II 63, Arnold 0
The Panthers pick up the program's first win of the season with a huge shutout victory over Arnold.
JPII will host St. John Paul II Academy in week nine
Wakulla 61, Taylor County 0
The War Eagles remain perfect, shutting out the Bulldogs to move to 8-0. Senior wide receiver Delvion Zanders hauled in five touchdowns against Taylor, returning the games opening kickoff 75 yards for his first touchdown. He added four more receiving touchdowns in the win.
Wakulla travels to North Florida Christian in week nine. Taylor County travels to Lafayette.
Madison County 38, Suwannee 13
The Cowboys handed Suwannee its first loss of the season, Wide Receiver Varian Terry hauled in a big touchdown and quarterback Za’vion Bryant threw for a pair of touchdowns in the win.
Madison County hosts Oakleaf in week nine.
Lincoln 36, Rickards 7
The Trojans stay in the win column, picking up a district victory over rivals Rickards. Lincoln runningbacks Jaden Walden and Christian "Deuce" Lawrence both got into the endzone against the Raiders. Rickards running back Kemarrion Battles ran 77 yards on 44 carries.
Lincoln travels to Arnold next, and Rickards hosts Florida High in week nine.
Florida High 35, Godby 7
The Seminoles bounce back into the win column after last week's loss to Carrollwood Day, the Cougars win streak ends at two games.
Florida High travels to Rickards next, and Godby hosts Gadsden County in week nine.
Gadsden County 34, Marianna 24
The Jaguars pickup a second straight victory, beating the Bulldogs.
Gadsden County travel to Godby in week nine.
Baker 14, FAMU DRS 0
The Baby Rattlers fall to Baker.
FAMU DRS travles to Wewahitchka in week nine.
Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chiles football shutout Leon for sixth straight win over Lions
