Columbia High School opened district play last Friday with a 47-27 homecoming win over Wesson.
Coach James Harvey said the Wildcats (3-3, 1-0) played well after having a week off before picking up the pigskin at Walter Payton Field at Gardner Stadium in front of a large crowd.
“It was a big win,” he said. “That was the next goal on our list of goals for the season. On our list was to win our district opener and to win homecoming. We got to check off both boxes in the same swoop. We’re really happy we were able to do that.”
The Wildcats received the ball and immediately began moving it, with Kentrel Bullock running for 28 yards before the first drive stalled and CHS was forced to punt.
The Cobras got on the board first after a face mask penalty helped Wesson keep a drive alive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown run by JaQauvion Harris at the 4:30 mark in the first quarter that ended with a Kevin Casanova extra point to make it 7-0.
Early in the second quarter, a defensive interference call brought back an interception touchdown for Wesson and kept a Columbia drive alive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown run for Teshonne Franklin. Harrison Foxworth added the PAT kick and the game was tied 7-7 with 8:32 left in the first half.
In the next sequence, Wesson quarterback Dell Thigpen found Shemar Dickerson wide open for a 45-yard touchdown strike. The Wildcats blocked the PAT kick and Wesson led 13-7 with 5:46 left in the second quarter.
It wouldn’t take long for the Wildcats to answer the Wesson score as Javen Moses tossed a 29-yard touchdown pass to Rafael Luter and Foxworth added the PAT to give CHS a 14-13 lead with 4:14 left in the second quarter.
Moments later, the Wildcats pounced on a Wesson fumble and on the first play got a big boost from a 27-yard Moses to Bullock pass that eventually led to Bullock finding pay dirt from 5 yards out on the ground with 1:40 to go in the half. Foxworth’s kick was good and the Wildcats led 21-13.
The Wildcats began the second half with an onside kick recovery, but failed to score.
As Wesson began its drive, Devin McCullough scooped up a Cobras fumble and ran 23 yards for a touchdown with 9:12 left in the third quarter. Foxworth’s kick was good, giving the Wildcats at 28-13 lead.
Wesson answered quickly with a short run by Thigpen with 7:16 left in the third. A two-point conversion failed, making the score 28-19.
Wesson closed the gap to 28-27 on a 90-yard run by Thigpen with 2:12 left in the third quarter. CHS quickly added another touchdown behind the running of Bullock, which made it 34-27.
The fourth quarter was all CHS, with Ryan Luter scoring on an 11-yard run with 3:22 left. Foxworth’s kick was blocked, but the Wildcats’ lead was extended to 40-27.
With 1:31 left in the game, Cameron Keys scooped up a Wesson fumble and ran 55 yards to score for the Wildcats. Foxworth’s kick sailed through the uprights to make the final score 47-27.
Harvey spoke about the Wildcats’ offensive abilities after the victory.
“Javon Moses, our sophomore quarterback, has come in, and while he’s still learning, he’s done a really good job for us,” he said. “He’s given us that little extra element in the passing game.”
Likewise, Harvey was pleased with the defensive effort of the Wildcats.
“The defense had some really big plays,” he said. “I’m proud of the way they played on those plays, but we still made some mistakes. Wesson is a really good football team and they matched up with us really well.
“We just have to keep getting better because the competition keeps getting better. We can’t sit back and rest – we’ve got to turn up the heat even more.”
The Wildcats visit district foe Tylertown this week for a 7 p.m. start.
“It will be another slobberknocker,” Harvey said. “We’ve got to get them out here Monday and get them ready. We had a really good week of practice last week. We had a really physical two days Monday and Tuesday.”
Harvey said the week’s efforts were a valuable lesson to the team.
“They learned that hard work pays off,” he said. “You’ll play like you practice. I’m proud of the kids and their effort. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but it never is. We’re glad to get out of here with a homecoming win.”
Pictured Above: Taveoungh Brown breaks free in the open field. | Photo by Mark Rogers
