CALEDONIA — The Caledonia High School football team wrapped up the non-region part of its schedule Friday night with a 49-6 victory against Tishomingo County on Homecoming.
Caledonia improved to 3-2 and bounced back from last week’s loss at New Hope. The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A, Region 4 schedule starts with a home game against Houston on Friday night.
The Confederates scored on their first four possessions of the game and sprinted to a 42-0 lead at halftime.
“We played well,” Caledonia coach Andy Crotwell said. “The biggest thing was getting off to a good start and we were able to do that. The offensive line blocked well and we had a big night on the ground. It was a game that went our way early and we got to play a lot of guys. It was a good reward for those guys who work hard in practice.”
Crotwell said the play of T.J. Davis was a bright spot. Davis recently moved from defensive end to middle linebacker and led the team in tackles.
“Jamel Thomas and Graham Weseli played well at safety,” Crotwell said. “We did a good job in the secondary. We have moved a lot of offensive guys to defense and they are getting better at communicating and knowing their spots.”
For Caledonia, Spencer Unruh was 7 of 9 for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Robert Hamilton had a 71-yard touchdown reception, while Jamel Thomas had a 61-yard touchdown reception. Hamilton had two catches for 86 yards, while Thomas had two catches for 70 yards.
Caledonia cranked out 214 yards. Zion Ford led the way with seven rushes for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Ford’s longest run covered 64 yards. Brayden Gholson added 27 yards rushing, while Chace Pennington added a 10-yard touchdown run.
“We have made a lot of strides since the start of the season, so now it’s time to see where we stack up against some region competition,” Crotwell said. “We have a very good 4A opponent coming to our place Friday, and we will have to continue to improve.”
The other score came on defense when Thomas capped his night with an interception return for a touchdown.
n West Lowndes 34, Falkner 0: At Falkner, the Panthers improved to 2-0 in MHSAA Class 1A, Region 1 play with the road win. Both region wins have been road shutouts.
“For the last two weeks, we have played lights outs on defense,” West Lowndes coach Anthony King said. “We have some young corners who have really made a lot of progress. Falkner likes to pass, and we did a good job on their receivers.”
King said Tyrese Wells, Adolphus Brewer, and Zack Williams led the defensive effort.
On offense, West Lowndes finished with better than 300 rushing yards. King said four turnovers and critical penalties prevented the team from building a bigger lead.
“We pretty much kept it on the ground all night because we knew we had a size advantage,” King said. “It was ground and pound. Really, the turnovers impacted our scoring chances. That is something we can do as the season progresses.
“We played a very physical game, and I was proud that some of the younger guys did that and contributed as well.”
Lemarrius Fair had two rushing touchdowns, while Kemario Evans, Kentrell Guyton, and Casey Smith also scored.
West Lowndes (4-1, 2-0) will steps out of region play Friday to play at Heritage Academy (5-1) on Friday night.
n New Life Christian 24, Victory Christian 20: At Millbrook, Alabama, Gavin Forrester ran for a touchdown and threw for another Friday night, but the Eagles (2-4) slipped to 0-4 in the Christian Football Association.
Forrester had a 1-yard touchdown run as a part of his nine-carry, 26-yard rushing effort. He also was 6 of 17 for 112 yards and an interception. He connected with Jordan Payne on a 21-yard touchdown pass.
Payne had two catches for 60 yards. He added 10 tackles.
Garrett Anthony had 13 carries for 81 yards. He also had two catches for 17 yards. He added a two-point conversion catch from Forrester. He led the team with 12 tackles.
Kody Anthony had a 75-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
Jay Gilmore (eight tackles) Marlon Clay (seven) played key roles on defense.
Victory Christian is off next week.
n Thrasher 40, Hamilton 14: At Thrasher, the Lions suffered their first loss in MHSAA Class 1A, Region 1 play.
Thrasher (3-3, 1-2) built a 28-6 halftime lead. The Rebels rushed for 402 yards and six touchdowns. Shawn Dalton Weatherbee rushed for 231 yards and five touchdowns. Jalen Warren added 100 yards and another score.
For Hamilton, Timarco Fields scored on a 20-yard run and Henry Moore scored on a 12-yard run.
Hamilton (1-4, 1-1) will play host to Biggersville (1-5, 0-3) in another region game Friday night.
n Shannon 37, Aberdeen 14: At Shannon, the Bulldogs completed their non-region schedule with a third-straight defeat.
For Aberdeen, Dajoun Rogers scored on a 60-yard run and Brandan Williams had a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown. Cameron Braylock caught a two-point conversion pass from Fred Fields.
For Shannon (4-1), Keegan Huddleston ran for 162 yards and a touchdown. The Red Raiders scored on the first possession and returned a fumble on the ensuing kickoff for a 14-0 lead.
Aberdeen (1-5) will open Class 3A, Region 4 play Friday night when it plays host to Mooreville (2-3).
n Newton County Academy 46, Columbus Christian 13: At Steens, the Rams dropped their fourth straight in Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) play.
Columbus Christian (1-5) will play host to Oak Hill Academy (2-3) in a Class A/AA, District 2 game Friday night.
n Strider Academy 48, Hebron Christian 0: At Charleston, the Eagles remained winless after their road loss in MAIS Eight-Man play.
Hebron Christian (0-5) will play host to Calvary Christian on Friday night.
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