PALMYRA — Willson Jones’ 98-yard touchdown run broke a school record and punctuated a four-score night for the senior quarterback who led Palmyra-Eagle’s football team to a 36-24 home win over East Troy on Friday to open the season.
Jones’ big play came with 2 minutes, 53 seconds remaining in the game and was the fourth Panthers touchdown of the quarter. Senior Dylan Walsh’s extra point pushed the margin to 36-18.
“East Troy was in a six-man box and we just had the numbers,” said Palmyra-Eagle football coach Brandon Wilde, who won his debut as head coach.
“We were in spread and they brought their backers out over our slots, so we went 13 power and Jones followed Brett Johnson’s lead block that got him to the safety and he made him miss and was gone.”
Jones totaled 256 rushing yards on 15 attempts with three touchdowns for the Panthers, who racked up 305 yards on the ground on 25 attempts, good for 12.2 yards per tote.
Jones finished 7-for-13 passing for 66 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Walsh led Palmyra-Eagle with four catches for 50 yards, including a 3-yard score with 7:44 left in the first quarter.
After a pair of rushing touchdowns by the Trojans in the second quarter, the Panthers entered the fourth trailing 14-12 before lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of 29 points.
The first score came just 18 seconds into the fourth when Jones scampered 69 yards for a TD, then hit junior wide receiver Alex Harbison on the two-point conversion to give the Panthers the lead for good, 15-12.
Palmyra-Eagle quickly forced a stop defensively, leading to a 53-yard punt return touchdown by Harbison with 10:09 left.
East Troy, which did not field a team last season due to low numbers in the program, countered with a 21-yard touchdown run and failed on the two-point try to get within 22-18 with 8:18 to go.
Sixty-five seconds later, Jones found paydirt again, dashing in on a 52-yard run. Walsh, who made all four of his extra points, converted to make it 29-18.
With 3:05 left, Harbison forced and recovered a fumble at the 2-yard line, setting the stage for Jones’ historic touchdown.
Senior linebackers Brett Johnson and Dylan Riener each finished with double-digit tackles for the Panthers, who tallied seven tackles for a loss as a team.
Palmyra-Eagle hosts Kenosha Christian Life next Friday.
PALMYRA-EAGLE 36, EAST TROY 24
East Troy 6 6 0 12 — 24
Palmyra-Eagle 7 0 0 29 — 36
First quarter
PE — Walsh 3 pass from Jones (Walsh kick), 7:44
Second quarter
ET — 6 run (kick failed), 7:54
ET — 3 run (run failed), 1:07
Fourth quarter
PE — Jones 69 run (Harbison pass from Jones), 11:42
PE — Harbison 53 punt return (Walsh kick), 10:09
ET — 21 run (run failed), 8:18
PE — Jones 52 run (Walsh kick), 7:13
PE — Jones 98 run (Walsh kick), 2:53
ET — 2 run (kick failed)
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