From Special Reports
MOOREVILLE — A 21-point second quarter lifted the Caledonia High School football team to a 34-20 win over Mooreville Friday night in Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A, Region 2 action.
With the win, Caledonia (3-4, 1-1) moved into a two-way tie for third place in the region standings. Three region games remain on the schedule, with the top four teams making the playoffs.
“Told the parents after the game, we have already won the county championship, now we have a district win,” Caledonia first-year coach Michael Kelly said. “With three weeks left now, we are going to make a strong push to make the playoffs. After an 0-10 season, that would be a major accomplishment.”
Quarterback Brandon Edmondson ran for 71 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Confederates. Edmondson had first-half scoring runs of 2, 5 and 6 yards. He also threw a 42-yard touchdown to Jedarius Gore.
Caledonia built a 27-6 halftime lead. After Nettleton scored midway through the third quarter, Gore delivered the knockout blow with a kickoff return touchdown.
“Proud of how we came out of the gates strong after a tough loss (to Shannon),” Kelly said. “In the second half we pretty much laid an egg, but in the first half, our offensive execution was outstanding. Our quarterback (Edmondson) is really making strides and making good decisions. At one time, we were playing six freshmen out there. We just a young football team in so many ways. It has made things tough at times this year, but it means a lot for our future.”
The Confederates finished with 209 total yards, with 174 of those coming on the ground. Edmondson finished with 18 carries, while Gore had seven tries for 46 yards.
Kha’sen Mitchell had 189 rushing yards and three touchdowns to lead the Troopers (3-5, 0-2).
Kosciusko 33, New Hope 14: At Kosciusko, the Trojans fell on the road in MHSAA Class 4A, Region 4 play.
New Hope (0-8, 0-2) scored on a 10-yard run by Braylen Miller and a kickoff return touchdown by Tre Bailey.
Nanih Waiya 53, West Lowndes 0: At Columbus, the Panthers (2-6, 2-3) dropped their second straight MHSAA Class 1A, Region 3 contest.
Central Holmes Christian 35, Oak Hill Academy 7: At Lexington, the Raiders fell in Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AA, District 1 play.
Oak Hill Academy (4-4, 0-3) received its touchdown 20-yard fumble return touchdown by strong safety Jake Makamson.
Hebron Christian 26, North Sunflower Academy 8: At Pheba, the Eagles cracked the win column in MAIS Eight-Man District 1 play.
“We had very good overall team effort,” Hebron Christian coach David Foster said. “The line blocked extremely well as the rushing yards showed. On defense, we hustled to the ball and made tackles when we got there.”
For Hebron Christian (1-7, 1-7), Bradley Scott on touchdown runs of 18 and 78 yards. Braeden Triplett had a 14-yard touchdown run and 2-point conversion rush. Doug Loden caught a 61-yard touchdown from Triplett.
Scott finished with 11 rushing attempts for 182 yards, while Loden had nine rushes for 102 yards and Elijah Parrish had 10 rushes for 66 yards.
On defense, Loden had 10 tackles, while Jon McGrew had nine tackles and both Gage Yeatman and Jackson Langley each had eight tackles.
East Memorial (Alabama) 72, Victory Christian 60: At Columbus, Chris McDonald had 17 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown, but the Eagles lost their Christian Football Association regular-season finale.
Victory Christian committed two costly turnovers — and interception and a fumble — that East Memorial turned into touchdowns for the winning margin.
East Memorial gained the tiebreaker over VCA in the CFA standings. Russell Christian likely will be the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. The top four teams advanced to the postseason. VCA likely will be the No. 3 seed and have to go on the road for its first-round game.
Luke Hudgens had a team-high 14 tackles and an interception for the Eagles. Jay Elmore had eight tackles.
Dallas Colom had 10 carries for 105 yards and three touchdowns for VCA (4-3, 2-3 CFA). Kenny Collier had four catches for 66 yards. Drake Clements had two catches for 66 yards. Brandon Moore was 10-for-22 for 157 yards. He had five touchdown passes. Clements had touchdown receptions of 34 and 26 yards. Collier had a 13-yard touchdown catch. Elmore had touchdown catches of 5 and 12 yards.
Playoff seedings will be determined after final regular-season games Oct. 19.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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