SANFORD - Kevin Jones, a six-foot Middle Creek wide receiver, has had plenty of good games in his four years with the Mustangs.

Still, the senior standout couldn’t quite remember any as great as Friday’s game against Lee County.

Jones led Middle Creek by catching five passes for 154 yards. What’s more, three of his five receptions went for touchdowns.

The Mustangs (3-2 overall, 2-0 Tri-Nine) needed all of Jones’ efforts, as they overcame a slow start to defeat the Yellow Jackets 42-31 and improve to 2-0 in the Tri-Nine conference.

The win marked Middle Creek’s fourth straight win over Lee County, who fell to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

“I just had the mindset tonight that I wanted to score when I touched the ball,” said Jones, who scored on plays of 16, 46, and 53 yards. “I couldn’t have done this without the other guys and the blocks they gave me.”

Middle Creek never trailed in the game but Lee kept the pressure on in the fourth quarter. The Yellow Jackets trailed 21-3 entering the final period but scored four touchdowns to keep things close.

“I thought Lee County had a lot of fight in them,” said Middle Creek head coach Sean Crocker. “Guys that didn’t necessarily stand out in the film sessions were outstanding for them tonight.”

Middle Creek quarterback David Salmon (281 passing yards) and Lee’s Chase Arrington (328) racked up the yards, especially in the second half when the two teams combined for 59 points.

Ironically, during the defensive-oriented first half, it was a jarring Middle Creek hit on Lee running back Josh Brinkley that provide the game’s first points midway through the second quarter.

Brinkley fumbled and Dajon Montague recovered for the Mustangs at the Lee 16-yard line. Salmon then threw to Jones in the end zone to give Middle Creek the 7-0 lead.

“We were fortunate to get that good field position and take advantage,” Crocker said. “That was a turning point.”

Devone Johnson, Rashawn King and Salmon each scored on runs of nine, five and four yards respectively.

Senior Jon Moore also aided the Mustangs attack with five receptions for 85 yards.

Cole Hornbeck scored twice for the Yellow Jackets, while teammate T.J. Lett also scored and finished with 108 receiving yards.

Middle Creek hosts Cary (4-1) this week in another big conference match-up.