RALEIGH - Athens Drive's Jason West spent his sophomore year last season as a varsity backup quarterback rather than gaining playing time as a JV starter.

If he missed out on playing time last fall, it only showed for the first two series of the Jaguars' 40-20 win over Sanderson in the season opener for both schools Friday night at Gregson Stadium.

After Athens Drive punted away its first two possessions, but West finished the night throwing for 227 yards and three touchdowns and running for 52 yards with an 18-yard rushing score on a quarterback draw. He was 14-of-28 passing with one interception.

"He took more snaps tonight than he has in his varsity career,” Athens Drive coach Jeff Smouse said. “We had two good sophomore quarterbacks last year. Brad Bowling had a good year on JV and Jason learned from practicing with the varsity. They were even in practice (this summer), but Jason had a little more poise.”

West connected with his most experienced receiver for his first touchdown pass when he connected with senior Mike Estes on a crossing pattern in the middle of the end zone. Estes looked like a veteran he is as he snatched the ball in traffic for 10-yard score with 4:37 left in the first quarter. The kick was blocked as the Jaguars settled for a 6-0 lead.

Athens Drive was controlling the first half until a fumble on a punt return gave Sanderson a first down at the Jaguars' 18-yard line with 5:42 left in the half. Four plays later Evan Parker hit J.R. Soto opened in the left corner of the end zone for an eight-yard touchdown pass and a 7-6 lead following David Nolasco's PAT.

The Jaguars took the ensuing kickoff and regained the lead on a nine-play, 80-yard drive. The big gain was a 47-yard catch-and-run by Hunter Williams when he spun out of a tackle at midfield and wasn't caught until reaching the Spartans' 9-yard line.

Dominique Lynch gave the Jaguars a 13-7 halftime lead when he scored from the 1-yard line on fourth down with 2:14 left in the half.

The second half opened with Athens Drive scoring when Willie Robertson stripped the ball on Sanderon's first play from scrimmage and raced 50 yards for a touchdown and a 20-7 lead.

Sanderson came back to tie the game at 20-20 with Soto's second touchdown catch on a 27-yarder and a 3-yard run by Jabaugh Williamson.

West wrapped up the scoring with fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Adrien King for 22 yards and Lamar Nobles for 10 yards.