Mississippi
Six state championships display thrill of victory, agony of defeat
HATTIESBURG — The Mississippi Excessive College Actions Affiliation State Soccer Championships hardly ever disappoint in relation to drama – the joys of victory and the agony of defeat, as “Large World of Sports activities” Corridor of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay famously put it.
The 2022 championship video games, performed Friday and Saturday at The Rock at Southern Miss, had been no exception. The weekend produced shootouts – similar to Raleigh’s 55-52 overcome Noxubee County within the Class 3A recreation – and defensive struggles, similar to Lousville’s 17-14 conquest of Mendenhall within the Class 4 A championship.
We noticed a number of the state’s most extremely recruited faculty prospects, streamlined bodily athletes similar to Raleigh’s Suntarine Perkins and Picayune’s Dante Dowdell. We noticed magnificent highschool gamers similar to Scott Central’s bowling ball of a quarterback, Quez Goss (5-feet, 9 inches, perhaps, and 220 kilos). Get this: In again to again state championships, Goss has produced a complete of 14 touchdowns, whereas his Scott Central group has scored 112 factors.
Picayune, successful its second straight 5A championship, emerged because the state’s solely undefeated group. With seemingly your entire citizenry of Picayune filling the decrease deck on the east facet at The Rock, the Maroon Tide completed an ideal 15-0 with just one victory coming by fewer than 10 factors.
Louisville received its eleventh state championship, tying it with West Level for many soccer state championships amongst Mississippi public faculties.
Starkville’s championship season deserves particular recognition. The Yellowjackets, beset by a brutal schedule and key accidents, misplaced three straight video games in September and October earlier than regrouping to win its final eight, together with 4 straight within the playoffs. Requested who made up that brutal schedule, Jones responded, “I did. You don’t get any higher taking part in cupcakes.”
So, let’s recap the video games within the order they had been performed.
Class 3A: Raleigh 55, Noxubee County 52
What a strategy to begin the weekend: In Raleigh’s 55-52 Class 3A championship victory over Noxubee County, the 2 groups mixed for a MHSAA playoffs report 107 factors – to not point out 14 touchdowns, 45 first downs and almost 1,000 yards of offense. There have been solely two punts, each by Noxubee.
Not often, if ever, has an MVP trophy belonged to a extra apparent winner. Suntarine Perkins, Raleigh’s do-it-all famous person, supplied 331 yards and 4 touchdowns speeding. He caught three passes for 56 yards. He kicked off. He led his group in tackles and he made a vital fourth quarter interception to protect the victory.
Perkins, a closely muscled, 6-foot-3, 205-pound participant, confirmed why nearly each faculty coach within the nation would like to have him and why Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding watched the sport from area stage, simply behind the north finish zone. Afterward, Perkins confirmed that Ole Miss, to whom he has verbally dedicated, and Alabama, are the final two suitors he’s contemplating. One or the opposite goes to get a outstanding athlete – and take an enormous NIL hit – when Perkins indicators on the dotted line. He mentioned that may occur “someday in December.”
It took all of Perkins’ heroics to get the victory. Noxubee County, a perennial Mississippi highschool powerhouse, fought all the best way to the ultimate gun. Hold this identify in thoughts for future reference: Kamario Taylor. Only a tenth grader, the long-limbed, 6-4, 180-pounder saved Noxubee in it, throwing for 5 touchdowns.
Taylor was marvelous, however Perkins was even higher. He sprinted 74 yards for a landing, out-running a lot smaller individuals, the primary time he touched it. He was simply getting began.
Requested how he felt afterward, Perkins smiled. “Actual good,” he mentioned, “however my legs I gotta admit are somewhat drained.”
Class 1A: Bay Springs 22, McEvans 0
Mississippi State commit Tyrick Jones rambled for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries but it surely was the Bay Springs protection, which a lot included Jones, that sparked the Bulldogs to the varsity’s second straight state championship. After Friday’s first recreation produced 107 factors, Bay Springs allowed none, serving to strengthen the age-old adage: Protection wins championships.
Bay Springs didn’t full a single go, however ran for 270 yards and allowed McEvans solely 149 yards of whole offense. Why throw it if you happen to don’t must?
It was Bay Springs’ sixth shutout of the season and the eleventh time the Bulldogs have held an opponent to 1 rating or fewer scores. McEvans had averaged 42 factors per recreation in three earlier playoffs victory however couldn’t crack the Bay Springs protection, which didn’t surrender a rating in 4 playoffs video games.
Stated Jones, a 225-pounder who seemingly will play on the defensive facet of the ball at State, “Our plan was to run the ball down their throat, and that’s what we did. We had been going to pound and pound it till they give up.”
Class 5A: Picayune 31, West Level 21
Defending State 5A Champ Picayune fell behind perennial powerhouse West Level 14-3 Friday evening however there was no panic alongside the Maroon Tide sidelines. When you’ve got a secure of working backs, led by 4 star recruit Dante Dowdell, why panic?
After working for 190 yards and three touchdowns, Dowdell, the MVP, defined, “We’ve received lots of guys which have coronary heart. After we get a head of steam and begin going downhill, we’re onerous to cease.”
Chris Smith additionally ran for 104 yards for the Maroon Tide, which was taking part in West Level within the state championship recreation for the second consecutive 12 months. Dowdell, who stands 6 toes, 1 inch and weighs 215 kilos, displayed a outstanding mix of velocity and energy in opposition to a usually salty West Level protection.
“He’s an awesome participant,” Picayune coach Cody Stogner mentioned of Dowdell. “Typically you simply gotta let an awesome participant play. We’ve had him for 4 years, and he’s simply gotten higher and higher yearly. We lean on him closely, and we did once more tonight. Like all the time, he delivered.”
Class 4A: Louisville 17, Mendenhall 14
Make that 11 for 11 for the Lousville Wildcats. After defeating Mendenhall 17-14 for the 4A State Championship Saturday, the Wildcats have superior to a state championship recreation 11 occasions. They’ve received all 11. None might have been any tougher than the three-point victory over the Mendenhall Tigers.
Junior Ceidrick Hunt booted a 27-yard area purpose as time expired to present Louisville the successful margin in a recreation largely dominated by the 2 defenses.
You suppose there isn’t stress to win in a tradition-rich program similar to Louisville? “I didn’t need to be the primary coach (at Louisville) to return down right here and lose within the finals,” mentioned Louisville head coach Tyrone Shorter.
It appeared like which may occur. Mendenhall was driving late within the fourth quarter when the Wildcats compelled the sport’s solely turnover. Senior Gabe Moore compelled a fumble, which was recovered by sophomore Ja’cari Owens on the Mendenhall 43-yard-line with 32 seconds remaining in regulation. Senior quarterback Keyarrion Jackson led a brief drive to provide the game-winning area purpose.
Louisville is now tied with West Level for many state championships amongst Mississippi public faculties groups. Each have received 11. Stated Jackson, “Now we’re a part of the legacy.”
Class 2A: Scott Central 42, Charleston 12
Subsequent season, the Class 2A State Championship could be another person’s playground. Scott Central quarterback Quez Goss received’t be round to point out off once more. Goss, who accounted for eight touchdowns in Scott Central’s 70-26 romp over Leflore County final December, was liable for six extra within the Rebels’ 42-12 pasting of Charleston Saturday.
Goss performs so much taller than his 5 toes, 9 inches. He throws the deep ball with uncanny accuracy. And he throws primarily to 2 senior large receivers who can go up and get it. Southern Miss commit Javieon Butler hauled in 5 catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns, whereas Antreyvious Edwards had three catches for 133 yards and three touchdowns.
“Once you’ve received guys like these, it makes my job a lot simpler,” Goss mentioned. “I simply launch it downfield and allow them to go get it.”
Goss was being overly modest. He completed 9-of-14 passing for 281 yards with 5 touchdowns and in addition added a speeding landing. He was a transparent minimize for alternative for MVP for a second consecutive season.
Since 1999, Scott Central has received 4 state championships and been the runner-up twice.
Class 6A: Starkville 48, Brandon 32
Oddsmakers don’t make level spreads for highschool soccer video games, however powerhouse Brandon, which entered at 12-1, would have been favored over a Starkville group that began 0-3 in its personal area this season. However Starkville took management firstly and coasted to the championship victory.
Junior quarterback Trey Petty led the best way, throwing for 2 landing and working for 3 extra. He was named the MVP however Starkville coach Chris Jones had one other identify for him. “He’s a canine,” Jones mentioned. “I’m joyful he’s on my group. He does job, and has been doing job all 12 months. He had a tough patch early within the 12 months when he was struggling and taking part in by means of accidents, however he bounced again. That’s what champions do.”
Starkville scored on seven of its 10 possessions and 4 of its first six. The Yellowjackets led 21-3 at halftime after which 28-3 early within the third quarter. Brandon lastly received its offense in gear within the second half, however by then it was too late. Quarterback Landon Varnes handed for 297 yards and halfback Nate Blount powered for 184 yards on 24 carries, but it surely was not almost sufficient.
The championship was the seventh in Starkville historical past however the first since 2015. Chris Jones has now received state championships at each Kemper County and Starkville.
Republish our articles totally free, on-line or in print, underneath a Inventive Commons license.
Shut window
For digital publications:
For print publications:
When you’ve got every other questions, contact Viewers Growth Director Lauchlin Fields. 1 Republish this text