OXFORD — West Point head football coach Chris Chambless knew his Green Wave had been in a battle Friday night.
West Point defeated the Oxford Chargers 27-12 in the quarterfinals of the Mississippi High School Activities Association”s Class 5A playoffs in a hard-nosed war between two veteran clubs.
“It was a hard-fought battle on both sides. It was a real physical game,” Chambless said. “We were glad to be able to make some plays.”
The Green Wave defense made stellar plays throughout the game. The Charger coaching staff showed it was aware of the Green Wave defense. On the Chargers” first possession, they were pinned back at their own 2-yard line. Instead of running an offensive play on third down, the Chargers opted to punt.
The Green Wave players swarmed the football and made open field tackles consistently. The defensive line for the Green Wave mauled the Charger front five, keeping the Charger running game in check. The Chargers finished with only 41 yards rushing on the evening.
The West Point defense shut down Charger quarterback Guy Cameron Billups, who is considered one of the top pocket-passers in the state. Billups averages more than 230 yards passing per game.
On Friday, the Green Wave defense held Billups to 121 yards passing. And although the Chargers dropped easy catches early and often, the Green Wave coverage was consistent.
“They dropped a few balls that if they would have caught would have hurt us,” Chambless said.
Billups never had time to set his feet, though. By the time Billups eyes started looking down field the Green Wave pressure had plowed through the offensive line and thrown him to the ground.
Along with the stout defense, the Green Wave running game gave the Chargers serious problems.
“We ran the ball really well tonight,” Chambless said.
Green Wave quarterback Justin Cox used his running prowess and his acceleration in the open field.
“I think I played well,” Cox said. “I”m a senior. This couldn”t be my last game.”
Cox gave the Green Wave an early lead with 9:48 left in the second quarter. The quarterback run left a gap off the right tackle and Cox hit the gap full throttle until he scampered into the end zone 14 yards down the field.
Cox admitted on some drives the Green Wave played better than on others.
“On some drives we kind of slacked up, but we played pretty good,” Cox said. “Overall, we played West Point football.”
Cox ability to gain yards after contact helped him work for two additional scores.
With 9:28 left in the third quarter, Cox broke through and kept churning his legs until he scored on a 6-yard touchdown.
“I”ve learned how to do my second efforts from my running back (Jacoby Lee),” Cox said.
Cox rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on the night.
Lee has become the workhorse for the Green Wave. He carried the ball 33 times and sealed the game with a late touchdown. With 1:13 left in the fourth quarter, Lee used his large frame to push the pile for a 1-yard touchdown run.
Lee finished the night with 158 yards rushing and one touchdown.
The game”s intensity was magnified because the winner goes to the North Half contest next week.
“Oxford versus West Point is a bitter rivalry. We have coaching staffs that are friends. We have some kinfolks on both sides,” Chambless said. “It”s a fun rival to have.”
The hard hits and thumping pads echoed throughout the stadium.
“We got a lot of bumps and bruises because of Oxford,” Chambless said. “They”re a well-coached team.”
Chambless admits beating a caliber team like the Chargers is a blessing.
“When you play Oxford, you just better be happy when the clock runs out because if you don”t, they will get you,” Chambless said.
Cox was excited about coming away with a crucial victory.
“Last year was a very close game; we knew we better be ready,” Cox said. “When you come into a playoff game like this, it”s a great feeling.”
After a big win, Chambless wanted to make sure his team doesn”t take their next opponent, Ridgeland, for granted.
“We have to get the guys back grounded, first off,” Chambless said. “We have to get back in the film room and on the practice field.”
When teams are this far in the playoffs, sometimes it”s easy to start looking forward to the state championship. Cox knows the importance of not overlooking any opponent, but still having a hunger for a championship.
“I”m a senior and I want to win a state championship,” Cox said. “We just have to keep going. I don”t want to lose.”
The Ridgeland Titans will be traveling to West Point for the North Half title game at 7 Friday night. Friday”s winner will be traveling to Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson to play in the Class 5A state championship.
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