WEST POINT — The West Point High School football team’s defense proved it is among the best in the state Friday night.
West Point moved to 7-2 and 5-0 in Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A, Region 1 play with a dominating performance on both sides of the ball. It all added up to a 55-7 win at McCallister Field. The Green Wave had 324 yards rushing and 109 passing, and allowed only 126 yards of offense.
Last year, Center Hill scored a touchdown in the last minute to beat West Point 30-29, which gave the Mustangs the region championship. The Green Wave made sure to make amends for that defeat Friday night, while setting up next week’s region showdown with Oxford for this season’s championship.
“We got to block and tackle well,” West Point Coach Chris Chambless said. “It’s going to be a beehive. It’s going to be a lot of pressure on everybody and I believe everyone will step up to the plate and play at a higher level. We are going to have to, to beat Oxford. Oxford is a very good football team and picked preseason to beat us. It is what it is and we have a lot to prove.”
West Point’s explosive running game has been the story all year, but the defense proved to be the difference-maker, forcing six turnovers and allowing Center Hill just 18 yards of total offense in the first half. Center Hill couldn’t ever get in an offensive rhythm because of the pressure caused by the Green Wave.
“This is a West Point defense,” Chambless said.
The defense will be tested next week against Oxford’s high-flying passing attack. The Chargers are averaging more than 200 yards per game passing.
Center Hill offered no such challenge. The Mustangs did not get a first down until forty four seconds to go in the first half. This caused the offense and defense of West Point to be constantly going on and off the field.
“They were getting us out there quick, and we were getting them back out there quick,” West Point quarterback Tez Lane. “It was back and forth and we like that because it’s up tempo. We come over here and get our water in our body and go right back out there ready to go again.”
West Point’s defense ended the night with four sacks allowing only 66 yards on the ground and 60 yards through the air. Center Hill’s quarterback Jacob marsh opened the second half on a 56 yard dash, which was the biggest play of the game for them. The Green Wave defense also forced three interceptions, each leading to touchdowns. The first half by West Point’s defense was a dominating performance that allowed them to go into the locker room at halftime up 35-0, putting the game basically out of reach.
“I believe we have the best defense in Mississippi,” West Point’s running back Aeris Williams said.
West Point’s defense only allowed Center Hill to throw 60 yards on five completions through the air while forcing three interceptions. The Green Wave defensive back core was in the face of the Mustang receivers all night batting down balls. This type of performance is going to be vital in next week’s showdown with high flying Oxford.
“Just got to practice hard,” Lane said. “They are going to throw the ball a lot, but our defense can handle it.”
“We are at a high level,” West Point senior wide receiver Peair Howard said. We started off slow missing blocks here and there, but during the second quarter we got to our peak. We got as high as we could, and if we go into next week playing like this, it’s going to be good game.”
Oxford and West Point will play host to first-round playoff games Nov. 9. Center Hill will enter its final two region games in a four-way tie for third place in the region standings. Two of the four tied teams will play in the postseason.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.