WEST POINT — West Point High School junior Chris Calvert always has enjoyed playing football.
However, his love of the game grew this season as he spent more and more time out of uniform.
In a 17-13 victory against Columbus, Calvert suffered a hit to the head. He was held out of the West Point lineup due to the concussion protocol until being cleared to play last week.
In his return, Calvert ran for 122 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-0 victory against Oxford in the second round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A playoffs Friday night.
West Point (12-1) will play host to region rival Lake Cormorant (10-4) at 7 p.m. Friday for the North State championship.
For his efforts, Calvert is The Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
“It really hurts when you can’t be out there helping your team,” Calvert said. “This season has been the longest season of my life. I understand what is going on, but it has been frustrating. You are on a good team and you know your teammates will get the job done. You just want to be out there enjoying the season with them.”
West Point began the season as the top ranked team in Class 5A. Thanks to an 11-game winning streak, the Green Wave are two wins away from winning their first football state championship since 2010.
With senior transfer Clayton Knight solidifying the quarterback position, Mississippi State commitment Marcus Murphy and Calvert became the focal points of the rushing attack. That lasted for three games. The change came at a time when West Point players were getting used to playing with Knight and the team was looking for its identity.
“This offense has so many more options now,” Calvert said. “(Murphy) is such a great player. I have learned so much from him. He really pushes us each of us every day in practice. We see his hard work and we watch he has done to get himself ready for the next level. We have been trying to do the same thing.
“When everybody is healthy and ready to go, we can put up some really good numbers on offense. If we have a tough time one night, we know the defense will have our backs.”
Murphy has rushed for 1,57 yards and 21 touchdowns. Calvert has added 224 yards and four touchdowns. As a team, West Point is averaging 240.7 rushing yards per game.
“Our offensive line has really been great the entire season,” Calvert said. “West Point football is about running the ball. Even though we are passing it more this season, it is still ground and pound. The coaches are happiest when we are running the ball and picking up first downs.”
The victory against Oxford was especially sweet since Oxford has ended West Point’s season in the playoffs the last two years. Oxford won the regular-season meeting and a playoff meeting in 2014 and 2015.
This season, West Point beat Oxford 22-8 in the regular season.
“The (regular-season) win really gave the team a lot of confidence,” Calvert said. “Beating Oxford had become a mental hurdle we had to overcome. The coaches talked all the time about coming out and having a great start. It was frustrating that the game was delayed (close to an hour by weather). We were ready to go and ready to make a statement.”
Calvert was elated when he was cleared to play. He knew the team’s willingness to run the ball would only be increased on a wet track.
“I am just thankful for the opportunity,” Calvert said. “I can’t get upset about the missed games. Instead, I just have to be glad I am back for the three biggest games of the season.”
Prep Basketball
n Pickens Academy (boys) 55, Patrician Academy 34: Lee Acker had 10 points and nine rebounds to lead the Pirates in their season opener.
Will Jones added eight points for Pickens Academy, which had 11 players score.
In the girls game, Pickens Academy earned a 46-45 victory. Kacy Noland had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Olivia Lewis had 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Pickens Academy will play Tuesday at Kingwood Christian.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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