Tartars advance to South State

Local Sports

November 21, 2009

By John Blackledge, llcsportswriter@gmail.com The Laurel Leader-Call Sat Nov 21, 2009, 12:21 PM CST

TAYLORSVILLE — Dominique Sullivan threw for three touchdowns and had two rushing touchdowns to lead Taylorsville past the Puckett Wolves 40-26 here Friday night at Tartar Field. With the win, Taylorsville advances to the MHSAA 2A South State Championship against the Bassfield Yellowjackets next Friday night in Bassfield.

Tartar head coach Bud Blackledge was pleased with the effort Sullivan gave. “Dominique has fought hard to come back from his injuries earlier in the season,” he said. “He is a great competitor, and it showed out there tonight. I’m also proud of the way our offensive line played tonight”

After a Deon Fairley fumble on the Wolves 35 yardline, Desmond Anderson picked up the loose ball and carried it 65 yards the other way to pay dirt. Christian Holmes’ PAT was true, and the Wolves took a 7-0 lead with 8:04 left in the first quarter.

With 5:39 left in the first quarter, Carvin Bailey tossed the ball to Holmes for a 43-yard touchdown reception. The PAT was no good, and the Wolves took a the early 13-0 lead.

Two plays later Sullivan took the ball 80 yards the other way for the Tartar score. The PAT was no good, and the Tartars trailed 13-6 with 5:09 left in the opening quarter.

With 3:08 left in the quarter, Sullivan connected with Rodregus Ducksworth from 25 yards out to close out a two play drive that started at the Tartar 25 yard line. Hendersons' PAT was true, and the game was tied at 13.

After holding Puckett (11-2) to three and out, Taylorsville (11-2) took over at midfield, and three plays later Sullivan tossed the ball to Demarcus Ulmer from 34 yards out for the quick Tartar score. The PAT was no good, and the Tartars led 19-13 with 11:06 left in the second quarter.

With 7:05 left before halftime, Sullivan added another touchdown pass to his credit hitting Fernando Hamilton from 25 yards out to close out a 4 play drive, which started at the Tartar 36 yardline. The 2-point try was no good, and the Tartars led 25-13.

Sullivan added his second rushing touchdown of the game with 2:15 left in the half with a 10 yard run. The Tartars added two points when Sullivan found Will Harrison in the endzone to take a commanding 33-13 lead.

Puckett answered with four seconds left in the half when Bailey connected with Anderson once more from 36 yards out on a hail-Mary pass play. The PAT was no good, and the Tartars took a 33-19 lead going into halftime.

It took the Wolves another quarter to score, but with 12 seconds left in the third quarter Jeremy Palmer rumbled across the goal line. Holmes’ PAT was true, and Puckett trailed 33-26.

Taylorsville crushed the Wolves dreams of making it back to Jackson when Desmond Wilson intercepted a Bailey pass at the Tartar 40. After Wilson returned it to the Wolves 41, Sullivan connected with Hamilton once more from 39 yards out for the score to finish off a 9-play drive. Hendersons’ kick was true to make your final 40-26.

Blackledge is looking forward to the match-up between the Yellowjackets next week.

“Our goal was to be practicing during Thanksgiving,” he said. “Coach Lance Mancuso and I are good friends, so it will be exciting to be able to coach against him next week.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Local Sports

No. 20 Mississippi State beats Mississippi 70-60
Mississippi's hope of sweeping the season series from rival Mississippi State for the first time since 1998 didn't last long.

February 10, 2012
Lady Bobcats rally past Miss. Gulf Coast, 72-70
The Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcats overcame a 16-point, first half deficit and then held on at the end to defeat Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, 72-70, here Thursday night at the Weathers-Wentzell Center.

February 10, 2012
Local prep soccer players to compete in All-Star game Saturday
Two soccer players from Northeast Jones High school and four from West Jones High School are on South State All-Star team, with games scheduled to be played Saturday.

February 9, 2012
South Jones stuns Stone County in OT
The South Jones Braves stunned Stone County 64-63 in overtime here Tuesday night in the Region 5-5A basketball tournament.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Lady Red Devils win
The Stringer girls advanced to the championship game of their division tournament with a 66-36 victory over Sacred Heart.

February 9, 2012
Young hunter bags a buffalo
A local boy had three unparalleled hunting experiences recently which left him with three unique stories to tell.
Nine-year-old Logan McLelland spent several days during the month of January testing his hunting and marksmanship skills.

February 9, 2012 3 Photos
Stringer teams advance in tourney
The Stringer Red Devils had three players in double figures to advance to the championship game of their division tournament Tuesday night.

February 9, 2012
Lady Braves in title game
The South Jones Lady Braves will meet their old nemesis Wayne County here Friday night at 6 p.m. in the finals of the Region 5-5A basketball tournament. South Jones downed county rival West Jones while Wayne County came away with an impressive win over Stone County here Tuesday night.

February 8, 2012 2 Photos
LCS girls advance in 4-AA tourney
February 8, 2012
STATE CHAMPIONS
The Laurel Knight Hawks captured the Mississippi Christian Home Educators (MCHE) state basketball championship Monday in Jackson. In the final game of the double elimination tournament, the Knight Hawks defeated the two year reigning state champions, Jackson Victors, with a final score of 67-64.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
More Local Sports Headlines

Local Sports

Search Results

Tartars advance to South State

Do you believe changes need to be made in Mississippi's mental health system?

Site Map