WEST POINT — West Point High School football coach Chris Chambless knows how far his team has to travel to become a Class 5A state title contender.
However, he likes how far his young has traveled so far.
A week after being shut out by Starkville, West Point returned to the win column Friday with a 13-3 victory against Columbus at Hamblin Stadium.
“We talked to the seniors about setting a tone in practice this week,” Chambless said. “The seniors rallied and didn’t let this team down. We kept a great attitude, remained positive, and it carried over to a big win.”
Columbus (2-2) continued his season-long theme of squandering red-zone scoring opportunities. Columbus managed only one field goal in three trips inside West Point’s 15-yard line.
“We have said it all year,” Columbus coach Randal Montgomery said. “The bottom line is we have to score more. Our defense plays too hard and too well to not be rewarded more often.”
Kiren Sharp opened the game with an 80-yard kickoff return for the Falcons. Starting at the West Point 10, Columbus was held to a 27-yard field goal by Chris Taylor.
West Point (2-1) took a 6-3 halftime lead after Marcus Murphy broke loose on an 82-yard run. Chris Calvert followed with a 57-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Murphy and Calvert eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the Green Wave.
n Starkville 48, KIPP Collegiate (Tenn.) 0: At Starkville, the Yellow Jackets scored on their first four possessions en route to their shutout Friday night.
Senior running back Avery Brown rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns, while backup Andreus Swanigan had 137 yards and two scores. Coach Ricky Woods had an opportunity to play numerous people, especially in the second half with a running clock.
Senior quarterback Montario Montgomery completed all three passes he attempted, including a 35-yard touchdown to Tavian Clark. Backup quarterback Ben Owens had a 5-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Terrance Grayer also had a 73-yard punt return for a score.
Starkville (3-1) will have a bye week before its travels to Jackson to face Callaway for the start of Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 2 play.
n Victory Christian 30, Cahawba Christian (Ala.) 26: At Columbus, Reed Fulgham threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another to help the Eagles (1-2, 1-2 Christian Football Association) rally in the fourth quarter.
Victory Christian used a Fulgham 16-yard pass to Kody Anthony and a 14-yard run by Fulgham in the fourth quarter to cap a rally that saw it come back from two 14-point deficits.
Fulgham led Victory Christian with 85 yards rushing. He threw for 93 yards. He also connected with Anthony on a 34-yard touchdown and with Jordan Payne on a 33-yard score.
Eighth-grader Ry Carter scored on a 68-yard run.
For more on these games and the rest of the action in the Greater Golden Triangle area, see Sunday’s print edition of The Dispatch. You also can go to www.cdispatch on Sunday morning and see all of the prep football coverage.
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