NEFL - Worcester 41, Central Mass. 3: David Jones leads way as Wildcats deal first defeat to Saberca

WORCESTER — The Central Mass. Sabercats are perfect no more. David Jones saw to that.

The running back scored three breathtaking touchdowns, including two from over 70 yards, as the Worcester Wildcats (2-2) cruised to a 41-3 win over Central Mass. (3-1) on Saturday night at Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium.

“This time around we made sure that we were focused and prepared,” Wildcats coach Dennis Faulkner said. “Guys came to play today. We were able to do what we needed to do before the game, then after that it was all execution.”

In the second quarter with Worcester leading, Jones bounced off a few defenders on a sweep and bolted down the sidelines for a 59-yard score to extend the lead to 19-0.

Jones put the game away in the fourth after taking a handoff from Worcester quarterback Tim Bushey and breaking another tackle en route for a 71-yard touchdown to make it 35-3.

With 4:15 left in the game, Jones put an exclamation point on the victory with a 72-yard run right up the middle to cap the scoring at 41-3.

Jones was moved from slot receiver to running back for the game, and it paid off.

“Coach just made the right calls,” Jones said. “He put me in at back, I usually play slot, and he saw a couple seams and holes there. I just had to put my foot in the ground and get up field.”

“You can’t deny what he does,” Faulkner said about Jones. “The kid has got moves. We have another player, Martell Hughes, who is a phenomenal player and we call him the younger version of him. He has got moves upon moves. Great kid too. Focused. I’m proud of him and the opportunity he had to execute today.”

Bushey gave Worcester a lead with 5:57 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats were at the Central Mass. five-yard line, and Bushey pump faked while looking to the right corner of the end zone. All his receivers were covered, so Bushey took off and weaved his way in the end zone. The conversion kick made it 7-0.

Worcester kept the pressure on, as the Sabercats tried to punt from inside their own 10. However the snap sailed over the head of punter Chris Bruno and our of the end zone. The Wildcats took over at the Central Mass. 1-yard line, and former Leicester High star Trevor Chrouzek pounded the ball up the middle for a score. The conversion failed, leaving the score, 13-0.

The Sabercats tried to get on the scoreboard with 5:01 left in the first half, but Worcester’s Luis Figueroa knocked down a Kyle Quinn pass in the corner of the end zone to give the Wildcats possession.

The Wildcats rolled in the second half, as Andrew Reid intercepted a Quinn pass with 5:09 left in the third quarter and returned it 45 yards for a score.

Central Mass. didn’t get on the board until 13:40 left in the game, when Bruno kicked a 15-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 27-3.

—Contact Gage Nutter at sports@telegram.com.