Jackson Prep, led by fullback Ruffin Lowery, broke open a close game by scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter to defeat Centreville 24-7 Friday at Centreville.

The contest was a matchup of defending state champions, with Prep winning 4A and Centreville taking 3A.

The Tigers defeated Prep in Jackson last year.

After Jackson Prep scored a touchdown early in the second quarter, Centreville scored on a three-yard run by Matthew Tolbert to make the score 7-7 at halftime.

The second half, however, was completely different from the first half.

Lowery, who had 16 carries for 143 yards, scored his first touchdown on a 12-yard run midway through the third quarter.

He then scored on a 23-yard run late in the third quarter.

Jackson Prep added a field goal in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

The Jackson Prep defense played solid throughout the game as it held Centreville to just 153 yards in total offense, while its offense piled up 338 total yards, 266 of that in rushing yards.

Tolbert led the Centreville offense with 21 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown and completed two of four passes for 32 yards and also fumbled twice, one of which led to a Jackson Prep touchdown.

Robin Roberts had 11 tackles and Jarred Webb had 10 tackles to lead the defense. Tolbert picked off three passes.

Centreville dropped to 2-2 and will play at Columbia next Friday.