By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

After getting off to a sluggish start, the Selma Saints football team overcame the early mistakes and cruised to a dominating 56-6 win over the Wilcox Central Jaguars at Memorial Stadium Friday night.

The Saints (2-1, 1-1) overcame three fumbles in the first quarter to outpace the Jaguars (0-3, 0-2).

Selma coach Leroy Miles said the Saints took care of business against a team that’s rebuilding.

“Their coach is just getting there, and our program is just a little bit further along than theirs,” Miles said.

After recovering their own fumble on the first play of the game, the Saints were able to sustain the drive, driving 80 yards as running back Derrick Howard scored a 1-yard touchdown to cap it off, with 7:36 left in the first to give the Saints a 7-0 lead.

Both teams struggled to control the ball early as on the ensuing drive, the Jaguars fumbled and the Saints recovered with 4:05 left in the first.

But the Saints would give it back, as quarterback Darion Alexander fumbled, and the Jaguars recovered with 3:59 left in the first.

The Jaguars were threatening to score when their quarterback Jarvis Ross fumbled out of the back of the end zone for a touchback, but the Saints would fumble again on the following play.

This time the Jaguars would capitalize as Ross ran it in from 14 yards out to make the score 7-6.

The Saints would come alive in the second, as they ended the following drive successfully with a 13-yard Jamund Martin touchdown run to put the lead at 14-6 with 11:44 left in the quarter.

After recovering a Jaguar fumble on a botched punt, Howard would answer the call again for the Saints as he scored a 7-yard touchdown to make the score 21-6 lead with 7:32 left in the second.

The Saints were successful through air with Alexander finishing 8 for 12 for 151 including a pair of touchdowns to receivers Anton Summers and Devonta Cleveland.

“I feel like at the beginning, we didn’t play our best,” Alexander said.

“I think the focus was there.

“We made a couple mistakes, but we bought into what coach was preaching to us and I feel like we have to have a better showing next week in order to show who we actually are.”

The Saints racked up 418 total yards on offense with backup quarterback Jesse Harris leading them on the ground with 92 yards on three carries including a 67-yard touchdown.

Miles said his team improved on special teams from last week’s game as the Saints made all their extra points and Roderick Brewer returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown early in the third.

The Saints will head north next Friday night to play Central-Tuscaloosa at 7 p.m.