WEST POINT — The West Point High School football team knew the expectations were high and the margin for error was reduced this season.
West Point learned that lesson again Friday, as Ryan Melton’s extra-point block in the second quarter proved to be the difference in a 14-13 victory against Lafayette in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A, Region 1 opener at McCallister Field.
West Point (4-1), the two-time reigning state champion, also used a possession-ending sack by Donte Smith late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
“It was a good team win, and we needed a game like this one,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “It was nip-and-tuck between us two. I don’t know if we had enough juice and was going through the motions.”
Coming out of Lafayette’s final timeout with 51 seconds left in the game, West Point’s defense was asked to stand tall one last time. Facing a fourth-and-9, Smith, a defensive lineman, was on the best side of a designed blitz. As Latarius Embry and Jaylen Cungious rushed by Smith, the junior bypassed three offensive lineman, battled to the backfield, and saw quarterback Randy Anderson in his sights. A massive collision followed as Smith wrapped up Anderson and a swarm of green jerseys added to the sack.
“The defensive stunt was called ‘bronco’,” Smith said. “I knew I was going to get that shot at the quarterback. I had three guys on me, and I wasn’t even worried about it. I went full speed and got him.”
West Point’s late-game heroics emphasized a strong, second-half defensive output. After allowing nine first downs and more than 150 yards in the first half, the Green Wave anchored down and stonewalled their opposition. West Point forced four-straight punts. The final possession resulted in a turnover on downs.
“We turned up the intensity in the second half , but it should’ve been there the entire game,” Smith said. “We hit them all throughout the third and fourth quarter. We played to our standard; played like West Point.”
Lafayette answered Jimothy Mays’ first-quarter touchdown in the first four seconds of the second quarter. The Commodores capped a six-play series, which started on the Green Wave 46-yard line, with Jamie Shaw’s 3-yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing extra-point attempt, Melton maintained West Point’s advantage by blocking the extra point. Melton slipped, untouched off the right side, stuck his hands out, standing tall, and deflected the football by running at full speed.
“We work on jumping the snap and getting off the edge in practice during the special teams’ period,” Melton said. “Usually in practice, I cannot get to our field goal unit. But I also know they are probably one of the fastest working units in the state. I know if I can get my finger tips on the ball in practice, the game is not an issue.”
West Point and Lafayette then exchanged scores, as athlete Brandon Harris scored on a 1-yard run and Lafayette offensive lineman Dylan Houston recovered a fumble in the end zone after Lance Stewart fumbled the football at the 1.
West Point and Lafayette each had three turnovers that erased scoring opportunities.
Lafayette lost a fumble at the West Point 1 in the first quarter and lost another fumble at midfield in the second quarter.
West Point’s third turnover occurred after three consecutive plays resulted in first downs and moved its possession to the Commodores’ 35, but West Point turned the ball over with three minutes remaining. The turnover set up the Commodores for their final possession, but the Wave defense had the answer.
“I thought second half we kind of gave up a little intensity on the offensive front,” Lafayette coach Michael Fair said. “You’ve got to give credit to (West Point) for stiffening up on the defensive side of the ball.”
West Point opened its scoring account with an eight-play offensive series. Kameron Martin gained 16 yards to start the drive. Brandon Harris added a 6-yard carry for a first down, and Jaylun Eggerson had a 15-yard run. Three plays later, the drive concluded when Mays bruised his way across the goal line. Jose Lemus added his first of two extra points.
“It was a big drive to get under our belt, starting the game,” Chambless said. “I know Brandon (Harris), Jaylun (Eggerson), and Kameron Martin played huge roles to set up the scoring play. And then, Jose Lemus, who has been steady on extra points, has his first, which proved to be a difference.”
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