WAYNESBORO – The Wayne County War Eagles captured their fifth South State Championship here Friday night with a heart-thumping come-from-behind 32-28 win over the Moss Point Tigers in 5-A play.
The War Eagles scored twice in the fourth period to overcome an eight point Tiger lead in securing their berth in their fifth state championship. The War Eagles will meet West Point, a 41-21 winner over New Hope, next Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Jackson at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Senior quarterback Demarcus Henderson came through with the play of the game for the War Eagles’ offense. WC trailed 28-26 with just over three minutes to play in the game when the home team faced a fourth down and 15 yards to go play at the MP 27 yard line. Henderson scrambled and broke several tackles in gaining 16 yards to give WC a first down at the Moss Point 11 yard line. Five plays later, Andre Rankin bulled his way into the end zone from the one yard line to give WC the lead.
Moss Point had one last chance to score, but the War Eagles’ defense halted a fourth down play at mid-field ending the threat.
“This is not the most talented team to come through Wayne County, but the last three weeks they have played with heart and determination that has no equal,” said an exhausted Marcus Boyles.
The War Eagles entered the fourth period down 28-20, but a Moss Point fumble at the 16 yard line gave Wayne County new life. Dewayne Davis ran six yards with 9:36 to play to cut the lead to two points. The two-point conversion failed.
Moss Point, behind the play of Bryon James, took the early lead. The Tigers led 5-0 as they recorded a safety and a 41-yard field goal by Jay Loris in the opening period. Wayne came back as Dee Sims scored from the two yard line to climax a seven-play 67-yard drive. Henderson hit Malik Lofton on a 35-yard pass play setting up the score. The kick conversion was blocked by the Tigers.
Moss Point came back and went up 11-6 as James ran 14 yards for a score. James would rush for 211 yards on 18 carries on the night to lead the Tigers’ offense.
Wayne County went up 14-11 with 34 seconds to play in the half when Lofton scored on a 28-yard pass play. Henderson ran the conversion giving WC the halftime margin.
Moss Point recovered the second half kickoff and quickly got in the end zone when Reggie Matthews rumbled 36 yards for the score giving the Tigers an 18-14 lead. Moss Point scored 17 points in the third period. WC came right back and moved 59 yards in nine plays to score on a Rankin run of two yards. The two-point conversion failed but WC led 20-18.
Loris added a 34-yard field goal as MP went up 21-20 before James ran 37 yards for the final points of the night with 1:27 to play in the third period for the Tigers.
WC rushed for 151 yards on 39 tries as Davis led the way with 57 yards on 14 totes. Henderson was 8-of-20 for 133 passing yards. Moss Point rushed for 276 yards and passed for 67 yards. The Tigers were their own worst enemy as they compiled 17 penalties for 130 yards on the night.
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GOING TO STATE!
Wayne Co. defeats Moss Point in 5A South State
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