WEST MEMPHIS — Quarterback Carson Coats threw four touchdown passes in the first half as Jonesboro took a 42-0 victory over West Memphis on Friday night.
Coats, a senior, completed 16 of 17 passes for 242 yards. Two of his touchdown passes went to junior receiver Ke’dren Brunson.
“The game plan wasn’t to come in and throw,” Jonesboro Coach Randy Coleman said. “We liked what we saw in coverage, and we did a good job of taking advantage of it.”
Coats had plenty of time to throw and plenty of wide-open receivers.
“Those numbers just shows you what type of preparation we had coming in,” Coats said. “I don’t necessarily think we had that great a week of practice time, but our preparation time from the coaches was great. We didn’t want to fancy it up too much. The offensive line made it easy for me and our receivers couldn’t miss.”
Jonesboro (5-2, 3-1 7A/6A-East) scored on each of its first-half possession, starting with Coats’ 8-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Howie Shearin with 7:11 left in the first quarter to give the Hurricanes a 7-0 lead after Will Brandt’s extra point.
Meanwhile, Jonesboro’s defense allowed only 77 yards rushing in the first half and only 24 passing yards for the game.
Jonesboro’s only rushing touchdown came on a 35-yard run by senior Darren Veasley on the second possession.
It preceded four more scoring passes by Coats.
The longest scoring pass came with 20 seconds left in the first quarter when Coats hit Brunson for 43 yards to give Jonesboro a 21-0 lead.
With 7:46 left in the second quarter, Brunson caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Coats.
Coats added another touchdown pass to Kylon Tate and then Brunson scored his third touchdown of the night on a 35-yard punt return.
West Memphis got 115 yards rushing from sophomore Martavous Thomas.
— Billy Woods