It’s round two of Wayne County (13-0) and West Jones (9-3) when the two rivals tee it up tonight at Mustangs Stadium in the Class 4A South State semifinals. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
In the regular season finale of this heated rivalry, the War Eagles were able to get two late scores to beat the Mustangs 24-7.
The winner will get the chance to face the victor of D’Iberville-NE Jones, tonight’s other semifinal game, for the South State title.
To say these two teams are familiar with one another is an understatement. Besides squaring off in Region 5-4A, their paths seem to always cross in the post-season. Tonight’s matchup marks the third time in the last six years they’ve faced off in the playoffs. The last time they met in the playoffs was in the 2005 South State championship game. The War Eagles prevailed 34-6, but were beaten 17-15 in the state title game against West Point.
“I think that just speaks volumes about the quality and success of both programs,” War Eagles head coach Marcus Boyles told the Wayne County News this week.
The War Eagles, who are coming off a 27-20 victory over Picayune, have a lot of weapons offensively, particularly Tracey Lampley, Calvin McDougle, Demarcus Henderson, Malik Lofton, and Dewayne Davis.
“They’re really explosive,” said West Jones head coach Scott Pierson, whose team is trying to reach the South State title game for the fourth time in the last six years. “They’re not a one dimensional team.”
Lampley has rushed for 1,132 yards and has another 430 yards receiving, while McDougle has run for 690 yards and has 223 receiving yards. Under center, Henderson has completed 81-of-131 passes for 1,147 yards. Davis has nearly 600 yards rushing, while Lofton has nearly 300 yards receiving.
West Jones has a few offensive weapons of their own, however. Sophomore quarterback Ben Stevens has steadily improved and his favorite target, Brandon Holley, has been reliable. Roderick McCullum has been a load in the backfield as the Mustangs average over 19 points per game.
Pierson believes that much of Wayne County’s success has been due to their outstanding play on defense.
“Their defense is what makes them a championship type ball club,” said Pierson. “That’s why there the No. 1 team in 4A football.”
Willie Daniels leads the War Eagles in tackles with 98, while Marion Chapman has 88 tackles.
Wayne County has allowed just 106 total points this season or just over eight points a game.
In order for Wayne County to reach the end zone tonight, they will have to somehow get pass a stingy Mustangs defense that allowed just a touchdown in last weeks 17-7 playoff win over Brookhaven.
“They’ve been blitzing a whole lot in the past couple of games,” said Boyles. “We are going to have to block them up front in order to have success.”
With three of four teams from Region 5-4A still in playoff contention, the odds are pretty good that one of them will reach the state championship game Dec. 6 in War Memorial Stadium in Jackson.
“It’s just a tribute to our programs,” said Boyles, whose squad claimed the 2006 state title, a year before Laurel pulled off the same feat. “Our region prepares you, and more times than not, we will end up facing each other in the playoffs.”
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Photos/File (Vernon Napp)
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