A Weekend in Review: Championship Friday

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 second half takeover, Friday had it all in store. Congratulations to all teams involved on such a successful season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>3A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final:</strong> Raleigh 55 - Noxubee County 52</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Review:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 [player_tooltip player_id='106167' first='Suntarine' last='Perkins'] 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Performances</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB <strong>Kamario Taylor</strong> | Noxubee County - 14/24 282 yards, 5 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='282591' first='Martavius' last='Wicks']</strong> | Noxubee County - 11 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108999' first='Anthony' last='Little']</strong> | Noxubee County - 7 rec, 134 yards, 4 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='106167' first='Suntarine' last='Perkins'] | Raleigh - 32 carries, 331 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 6 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB <strong>Javarious Walker</strong> | Raleigh - 17 carries, 76 yards, 1 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>1A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final:</strong> Bay Springs 22 - McEvans 0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Review:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Bulldogs ran through senior Mississippi State commit [player_tooltip player_id='106162' first='Ty' last='Jones'] 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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Performances:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='106162' first='Ty' last='Jones'] | Bay Springs - 16 carries, 136 yards, 2 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB <strong>Dalyn Pierce</strong> | Bay Springs - 5 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 PBUs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB <strong>Anthony Newell </strong>| Bay Springs - 5 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PBU</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340858' first='Brandon' last='Hall']</strong> | McEvans - 13 total tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB <strong>Brenton Hall</strong> | McEvans - 11 total tackles, 1 forced fumble</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>5A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final:</strong> Picayune 31 - West Point 21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Review:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rushing attack was on fire with Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id='108971' first='Dante' last='Dowdell'] 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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Performances</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='108971' first='Dante' last='Dowdell'] | Picayune - 28 carries, 194 yards, 3 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH <strong>Darrell Smith</strong> | Picayune - 4 carries, 31 yards, 1 rec, 80 yards, 1 TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR <strong>Amari Cox</strong> | West Point - 3 rec, 142 yards, 2 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503391' first='Coledan' last='Carter']</strong> | West Point - 10 total tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->