WEST POINT — The West Point High football team clinched its third-straight Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A, Region 1 title Friday night and helped an already well-decorated senior class earn another honor.
On the cold, wet night, Jake Chambless threw two touchdown passes as part of a 28-point first half that propelled West Point to a 41-7 victory against Saltillo at McCallister Field.
“We played hard and made sure we took care of business,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “Offensive and defensive players worked extremely hard. Games like tonight come down to just playing hard and focusing on the task at hand.”
Chambless, a senior quarterback, completed seven passes for 164 yards. Both of his scoring strikes were to senior wide receiver Shun Crawford, who has become a favorite target, for scores of 17 and 13 yards.
The first touchdown connection between the duo, colloquially known by the West Point Marketing team as “Flight 1801”, lifted the Green Wave to a 28-0 halftime advantage.
“I didn’t realize he had scored,” coach Chambless said about his son. “It’s always special, and important, when our team scores points. I really consider all the players on this team to be my sons. I don’t treat them any different than I do Jake. It’s family and special to have on a week-to-week basis.”
Last week against Grenada, Jake Chambless connected with Crawford five times for 130 yards and a touchdown. On the season, he is 63-for-122 for 917 yards and 10 touchdowns. Crawford has 21 receptions for 407 yards and six touchdowns.
Though the fruits of labor are finally showing up, it’s not much of a surprise to Jake Chambless or Crawford, who’ve utilized countless hours of group work to improve the aerial assault.
“A lot of game planning has opened up our
passing game,” Jake Chambless said. “Our offense is really hard to stop when we are able to balance the run and pass.
“Our wide receivers know how to execute and know to take advantage of their opportunities when the ball is thrown their way.”
The night was full of special moments for others wearing the green and white. John Facella, a senior wide receiver, scored his first career rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Facella received two chances on jet sweep plays, finally breaking through for a score. Reco Bailey, who is playing his first season of football, received seven carries in an eight-play series in the third quarter. Bailey, also a senior, finished the series with a 1-yard touchdown.
“I am glad we as a coaching staff could deliver some memorable moments for the players tonight,” Chambless said. “We understand how many family members and friends come out for this night. We definitely want to make it special.”
Bailey had nine carries for 45 yards. Dantariyus Cannon had 37 yards, Jaylun Eggerson had four carries for 32 yards, Kameron Martin had seven carries for 31 yards and two scores. These leaders were cogs in a rushing game that gained 193 yards.
West Point’s defense continued to play its usual routine – snuffing out any possible hope for the opposing unit. The Green Wave recovered two fumbles, balancing out its two turnovers, and did not allow the Tigers to drive any further than West Point’s 23-yard line during the first three quarters.
“Tonight was a positive step in the right direction, but we still have improvements to do,” senior defensive tackle Jaylon Webb said. “We simply are doing our jobs individually and putting it together as a whole defense.”
For a class that holds two state titles, the senior night was another step on the path to a possible three-peat — a feat that has only been accomplished once by the senior class of 1989, which was led by then-coach Bubba Davis. The current West Point seniors set winning three-straight titles as their goal in the spring.
“We can’t stop,” Webb said. “We have playoff games and, hopefully, a state championship game to play. We have a chance to add to a legacy. We can set the tone for the younger guys and keep building this West Point football program.”
The win pushed West Point to 9-1 and 6-0 in the region. It also secured home-field advantage for West Point against Region 1 and Region 2 opponents with a lower seed.
West Point’s opening-round opponent will be decided Friday when tiebreakers between Canton, Cleveland Central, Ridgeland, and Vicksburg are resolved.
West Point will wrap up the regular season slate Friday when it takes on Lewisburg (2-8, 0-6) in Olive Branch.
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