Even though several West Point High School senior football players were interviewed at different times, each one came back to the same phrase.
The quote was essentially “We can’t be the class that doesn’t win a championship.”
The seniors know what is stake when West Point (13-1) takes on West Jones (12-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State Championship game at Southern Mississippi’s M.M. Roberts Stadium.
As tight end/tackle Ezekiel Head put it, “This program is all about winning championships. If you miss (winning a championship) a year, you don’t need it to be when you are a senior. We are passionate about making sure this gets done.”
West Point will try to win a 10th state championship and its third title in a row for the second time in program history. West Point won the Class 4A title in 1987, followed by Class 5A titles in 1988 and 1989.
“Being able to win three straight would be special for the seniors,” West Point senior defensive back Ryan Melton said. “You don’t see that. You don’t expect that. A lot of people were counting us out because we lost so many players off last year’s team. However, we have one game we have to win. We haven’t done anything yet.”
West Point’s senior class enters the game with a 42-2 record. Both losses came in the regular season to Class 6A foe Starkville. In Class 5A, Region 1 play, West Point has reeled off 21 wins in the last three seasons.
“It’s about winning. It’s about tradition,” West Point senior safety Tyler Rupert said. “We expect to win. To a lot of people this year may be a surprise, but it is not to us. We have the expectation to compete for championships. For seniors, this is your year. This is your final year to play in the program. You just don’t want to walk off that field for the last time as a loser. You want to celebrate with your brothers.”
A year ago, Marcus Murphy and Chris Calvert set the tone as West Point rolled to an undefeated record and a convincing state championship. The lowest margin of victory in any game was 19 points.
This season, Hattiesburg (a second-round playoff upset victim of West Jones) had been the favorite to win Class 5A. Many felt Olive Branch would win West Point’s region.
“Being under the radar has really helped us,” West Point senior running back Kameron Martin said. “People didn’t think we were the same West Point team. Everybody in our locker room knew better. We knew our capabilities. With all the pressure off, we have been able to focus on becoming a better team. I think the lower expectations helped us not feel the pressure but it also motivated us.”
While several members of the senior class were united in a personal mission and a desire to build the program’s legacy, each one had a different viewpoint on the how the season has come together.
Head believes the loss to Starkville was the turning point.
“We had to work harder,” Head said. “We had to do the little things right.”
Senior tackle Jaylon Webb said the turning point was a 34-33 region win at Olive Branch. The Green Wave scored twice in the final three minutes to snag the victory.
“After that win, we felt like we could do anything,” Webb said.
Melton felt like a 55-27 first-round playoff victory against Canton was when it all came together.
“It was a playoff game, and we proved we were one of the best teams in the playoffs,” Melton said.
After beating Canton, West Point grabbed its second win of the season against region rivals Lafayette (27-20) and Olive Branch (35-0) to reach the state title game.
While last season was a cakewalk, this season has had its close calls. The escape at Olive Branch was followed by a one-point home victory against Lafayette. The playoff rematch against Lafayette was also decided in the final minute.
“State championship teams usually have a few close calls,” Melton said. “Last year was not normal. We have been challenged and each time we have proven we were up the challenge. That’s the sign of a good team.”
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.