WEST POINT — West Point’s defense took over Friday night.
Against Class 3A Noxubee County, the Green Wave forced three turnovers — one interception and two fumbles — en route to a 31-15 victory on its home field.
“Our defense was exceptional tonight,” West Point head coach Chris Chambless said. “There were still a few mistakes and things we need to clean up, but that was a pretty nice performance against a good Noxubee County team. I’ve been saying all week how tough that team is, and I’m just glad we took care of business tonight.”
West Point junior Jayden Floyd did most of the heavy lifting on defense, recovering two fumbles while the Green Wave (2-1) recorded three sacks as a team.
“Our defense carried us and had our backs,” West Point running back JaKobe Pate said.
Yet it was the Tigers (2-1) who struck first, as quarterback Chrishaad Rupert connected with Antonio Fowler for a 24-yard touchdown catch on fourth-and-11 on Noxubee County’s second drive of the game. But West Point responded with 31 unanswered points, thwarting any momentum the Tigers built up.
Following the Noxubee County score, West Point answered with a field goal, but the Tigers went to work offensively, driving down to the Green Wave 5. Threatening to extend its lead to two possessions, Noxubee County saw its momentum come to an abrupt halt when Floyd recovered his first fumble of the night inside the red zone.
“Offensively, it wasn’t our best night,” Noxubee County coach Teddy Young said. “We had a few too many mistakes in the red zone.”
The Green Wave took the lead for good on the next series following a 66-yard scamper from Pate that put his team up 10-7 early in the second quarter.
“I just saw open room in front of me,” Pate said. “I wasn’t worried about any defender or anything. I knew I had to put the team on my back, so I went and got us a touchdown.”
West Point quarterback Corbin Kelley put the Green Wave up two scores by throwing a 27-yard touchdown on fourth-and-15 to Jamarquez Shun Melton with less than a minute remaining before halftime. Kelley finished the day 5 of 9 passing for 106 yards and a touchdown, while Shun Melton hauled in three passes for 85 yards and a score.
In the second half, West Point took advantage of another turnover by Noxubee County when Pate broke three would-be tackles and scampered 23 yards for his second touchdown of the night, putting the Green Wave up 24-7. Pate finished with 108 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns.
“He’s such a hard runner,” Chambless said of Pate. “We just need to keep him healthy. He keeps this up, and some college is going to end up with a player they’re going to be pretty happy with, I can tell you that.”
For West Point, running back Cameron Young ran for 83 yards on 18 carries, while Chris Ivy accumulated 69 rushing yards on 11 carries with a touchdown. Ivy also completed a 72-yard pass to Colin Ferguson in the first quarter. Defensively, Chris Dean recorded an interception.
The final Noxubee County touchdown came courtesy of a 6-yard pass to Macardi Johnson from Rupert with 9:34 remaining in the contest.
West Point prepares to host district rival Lafayette next week, while Noxubee County is at Houston on Oct. 2.
“We told them we’re not going to let this game define us,” Young said. “We know West Point is a great team and really well coached. But we want to be Class 3A state champions. That goal hasn’t changed, and we’re going to learn from this game and get better.”
West Point 31, Noxubee County 15
NC 7 0 0 8 — 15
WP 3 14 14 0 — 31
First quarter
NC — Antonio Fowler 24 pass from Chrishaad Rupert (Treyon Sledge kick)
WP — Alex Harper 22 FG
Second quarter
WP — JaKobe Pate 66 run
WP — Jamarquez Shun Melton 27 pass from Corbin Kelley
Third quarter
WP — JaKobe Pate 23 run
WP — Chris Ivy 11 run
Fourth quarter
NC — Macardi Johnson 6 pass from Rupert (Bobby Shanklin run)
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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