A Weekend in Review: Championship Friday
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Ending the season on a highlight, the first day of MHSAA championship weekend was one for the books. 3A, 1A, and 5A all played their title games, each with a different style. From a high scoring shootout to a dramatic…
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Continue ReadingEnding the season on a highlight, the first day of MHSAA championship weekend was one for the books. 3A, 1A, and 5A all played their title games, each with a different style. From a high scoring shootout to a dramatic second half takeover, Friday had it all in store. Congratulations to all teams involved on such a successful season.
3A
Final: Raleigh 55 – Noxubee County 52
Review:
Starting at 11 AM on Friday, the 3A state title game set the tone for how the weekend would go. This was one of the most explosive and exciting games of the entire post season. In a good old fashioned shootout, Raleigh defeated Noxubee County and won their first state championship in school history.
When we say this game was explosive, that may be an understatement. This 3A title game was the highest scoring state championship in MHSAA history with a combined 107 points scored between the two teams. Big time talents Suntarine Perkins Suntarine Perkins 6'1" | 190 lbs | ATH Raleigh | 2023 State MS of Raleigh and Kamario Taylor of Noxubee County took over the game and exchanged scoring possessions almost every drive. Unfortunately for Noxubee County, they were just one drive short.
Raleigh finishes off the season with a 14-1 record, building towards this moment over the last 4 years. This is a true testament to the senior class Raleigh will have graduating this coming spring. On the other side, Noxubee County finishes 10-5, but will return loads of young talent that can be built around for years to come. While the Tigers may have fallen short of the championship trophy this season, they are fully prepared to make another run during the 2023 season.
Top Performances:
QB Kamario Taylor | Noxubee County – 14/24 282 yards, 5 TDs
RB Martavius Wicks Martavius Wicks 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Noxubee County | 2024 MS | Noxubee County – 11 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD
WR Anthony Little Anthony Little 6'0" | 190 lbs | WR Noxubee County | 2023 State MS | Noxubee County – 7 rec, 134 yards, 4 TDs
ATH Suntarine Perkins Suntarine Perkins 6'1" | 190 lbs | ATH Raleigh | 2023 State MS | Raleigh – 32 carries, 331 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 6 tackles
RB Javarious Walker | Raleigh – 17 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD
1A
Final: Bay Springs 22 – McEvans 0
Review:
However dominant you thought this Bay Springs defense was entering the post season, multiply that by about 10x. Bay Springs shut out McEvans to win the 1A state title, their second in the last two years. Holding McEvans to 149 yards of offense, this Bay Springs team was just that good this season, going down as what will be remembered as one of the better defenses in history.
Offensively, the Bulldogs ran through senior Mississippi State commit Ty Jones Ty Jones 6'2" | 200 lbs | RB Bay Springs | 2023 State MS who ended up taking home the MVP award from the game. Jones has been a special talent over his 4 years and Bay Springs will miss his presence next season. While McEvans will lose a senior class filled with difference makers, they will reload in a big way next season. The foundation for winning has been set and McEvans will look to be back in this place next season.
Top Performances:
ATH Ty Jones Ty Jones 6'2" | 200 lbs | RB Bay Springs | 2023 State MS | Bay Springs – 16 carries, 136 yards, 2 TDs
LB Dalyn Pierce | Bay Springs – 5 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 PBUs
LB Anthony Newell | Bay Springs – 5 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU
LB Brandon Hall Brandon Hall 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB McEvans | 2023 State MS | McEvans – 13 total tackles
LB Brenton Hall | McEvans – 11 total tackles, 1 forced fumble
5A
Final: Picayune 31 – West Point 21
Review:
A tale of two halves, this game was decided by an explosion of offense from Picayune in the 3rd quarter. West Point and the rushing attack were off to a great start, eating up clock and putting up 14 points heading into the 3rd quarter with a lead. Picayune answered back, holding West Point scoreless in the third quarter while scoring 15. After that mark, Picayune didn’t look back and capitalized, earning their second straight state championship title.
The rushing attack was on fire with Oregon commit Dante Dowdell Dante Dowdell 6'2" | 215 lbs | RB Picayune Memorial | 2023 State MS handling most of the work out of the backfield. The 5A Mr Football winner will be remembered as one of the best RBs in Mississippi to ever do it. West Point remains a dominant force and will continue playing deep into the playoffs for years to come. It would not be a surprise at all if we see these two teams playing it out for the title in 2023. Credit to Picayune where it is due – they have established a dominant winning culture extremely similar to West Point.
Top Performances:
RB Dante Dowdell Dante Dowdell 6'2" | 215 lbs | RB Picayune Memorial | 2023 State MS | Picayune – 28 carries, 194 yards, 3 TDs
ATH Darrell Smith | Picayune – 4 carries, 31 yards, 1 rec, 80 yards, 1 TD
WR Amari Cox | West Point – 3 rec, 142 yards, 2 TDs
DB Coledan Carter Coledan Carter 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH West Point | 2024 State MS | West Point – 10 total tackles