In a 41-14 win over Harlan last season in Williamsburg, Dalton Ponder showed off how dangerous he can be with his legs as he ran for 154 yards. The senior quarterback focused on his arm in the rematch Friday at Harlan, completing 13 of 15 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns in only a half of work as the Jackets built a 40-0 halftime lead on the way to a 47-6 victory.

“He’s a good player and has worked hard,” Williamsburg coach Jerry Herron said after the Jackets broke a two-game losing streak and improved to 5-2 overall while winning their opening district game. “He’s a good leader for us. We just did what we do today.”

Ponder found several receivers in the win, led by junior Gavon Thomas with three touchdowns on four catches. Seniors Devonte Powell and Caleb Rose also had big games as Powell had five catches for 96 yards and Rose had three receptions for 75 yards.

Harlan fell to 1-6 overall and 0-1 in district action. With only 18 players in uniform, the Dragons were outmatched from the start but did move the ball well at times, picking up 12 first downs out of its Wildcat attack. Ethan Clem ran for 54 yards before going out early in the second half with an injury. Jayden Ward took over at quarterback at that point and finished with 56 yards on 18 carries, scoring the Dragons’ only touchdown with a 7-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Ponder completed his first three passes, covering 31 yards, as the Dragons marched 65 yards in eight plays, capped by Ponder’s 19-yard TD run. Sydney Bowen hit the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 9:04 to play in the opening period.

Ponder completed four of four passes on the Jackets’ second drive, capped by a 4-yard pass to Thomas for the second touchdown. Bowen’s extra point pushed the lead to 14-0 with 5:29 left in the first quarter.

Harlan picked up two first downs in each of its first two drives and got to the Williamsburg 14, highlighted by a 28-yard run from Clem, before the Williamsburg defense stiffened and pushed the Dragons back to the 20. The Jackets also hurt themselves early with penalties, including three straight off-sides penalties on defense.

“Harlan had a good gameplan and was able to keep us off the field early in the game by running the ball,” Herron said. “We also made too many mistakes. That’s something we have to clean up.”

Ponder found Thomas open down the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown to cap a five-play drive early in the second quarter. The extra point try failed and Williamsburg led 20-0 with 10:39 left in the second quarter.

Thomas scored his third touchdown when he took a low punt from Juan Bynum, found a seam down the right sideline for a 63-yard touchdown. Bowen’s kick pushed the lead to 27-0 with eight minutes remaining in the half.

Williamsburg scored on two one-play drives to close the half as Ponder found Powell for a 33-yard TD with 5:57 left and then connected with Rose for a 54-yard strike with 3:43 left to start a running clock.

Bowen, after taking over for Ponder at quarterback, broke free for a 77-yard touchdown on the final play of the third quarter. Peyton Sizemore’s extra point made the score 47-0.

Harlan will travel to Lynn Camp and Williamsburg is at home against Pineville on Friday.

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Williamsburg 47, Harlan 6

Williamsburg 14. 26. 7 0 — 47

Harlan 0 0 0 6 — 6

W — Ponder 19 run (Bowen kick)

W — Thomas 4 pass from Ponder (Bowen kick)

W — Thomas 44 pass from Ponder (kick failed)

W — Thomas 63 punt return (Bowen kick)

W — Powell 33 pass from Ponder (Bowen kick)

W — Rose 54 pass from Ponder (kick failed)

W — Bowen 77 run (Sizemore kick)

H — Ward 7 run (pass failed)

W. H

First downs 12 12

Rushes-yards 127 134

Passing. 267 32

Comp-Att-Int 13-15-0 2-5-0

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0

Penalties-Yards 7-55 4-30

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Williamsburg, Bowen 3-99, Snell 2-14, Ponder 3-14, Campbell 1-0. Harlan, Ward 15-56, Clem 15-54, Eldridge 3-16, Bynum 2-4, Lindsey 2-4.

PASSING—Williamsburg, Ponder 13-15-0-267. Harlan, Clem 2-4-0-32, Ward 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING—Williamsburg, Powell 5-96, Thomas 4-28, Rose 3-75, Rainwater 1-18. Harlan, Eldridge 2-32.