Jaiden Cole, Donald Jenkins lead Tigers past Ruston

After the first five possessions ended with punts, the 2015 edition of the Neville-Ruston rivalry became a mad dash to find a consistent offensive producer.

Enter, Jaiden Cole.

Even as part of Neville’s two-quarterback system in the season opener, Cole emerged as the game’s top offensive threat, executing a bevy of both option and designed quarterback runs to the tune of 123 yards as the Tigers beat Ruston 28-12.

Cole’s runs accounted for six of Neville’s first downs and one touchdown, the touchdown coming early in the fourth quarter to give Neville a 21-6 lead at the time.

Donald Jenkins finished the drives Cole and co. started, ending the night with three rushing touchdowns of 1, 1 and 3 yards.

While both offenses struggled in the first half, two Ruston turnovers gave Neville rare opportunities to score. Ruston lost a fumble late in the first quarter that led to the first score of the game after Neville’s five-play, 37-yard drive. Ruston lost another fumble midway through the second quarter to and Neville followed it with another five-play drive.

The Bearcats lost a second fumble with five minutes left in the second quarter. Chris Haynes’ 43-yard completion to Bobby Newton moved Neville to the 1-yard line and Jenkins finished the drive from there.

The Bearcats went stride for stride with Neville in the second quarter, both teams scoring two touchdowns. Ruston got on the board first as the aerial attack found a rhythm. Cade Gibson threw a 32-yard third-down pass to Errol West to keep the drive alive and scored on the next play with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Brown.

Neville responded with 11-play touchdown drive that carried over into the fourth quarter, ending with Cole’s 11-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing possession, Neville misfielded a Ruston punt, giving the Bearcats the ball back on the 28-yard line. Two runs from Qay’shon Thurman of 26 and 2 yards scored, but Cole Marsh’s tackle for a loss on the two-point conversion kept the Bearcats two possessions back, 21-12 at the time.

Neville iced the game with a Jenkins’ final touchdown run of the game, capping a nine-play, 80-yard drive.

Punters show: The offensive struggle that was most of the first quarter provided several looks at the punters, Neville’s John Mitchell McDuffie and Ruston’s Alex Jassemidis, and both played a part in keeping the game scoreless.

McDuffie had punts of 40 and 42 yards while Jassemidis added punts of 39 and 51 yards.

Next up: Neville has a Saturday night game in the Independence Bowl against Maumelle (Ark.), while Ruston hosts East Feliciana on Friday night.

Follow Brett on Twitter, @BHudsonTNS.