West Point High School football coach Chris Chambless sums up his team’s next Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A playoff game succinctly.
“This is just going to be an old-fashioned football game,” Chambless said. “It will be hard-hitting, physical, intense. It will be what playoff football is all about.”
West Point (11-1) travels to Lafayette (10-3) for a 7 p.m. start Friday in the second round. The winner will face either Olive Branch or Holmes County Central for the North State championship.
All three Lafayette losses have been by three points or less. That group includes a 14-13 West Point victory when the region rivals met last month at Hamblin Stadium in West Point.
“Just an excellent football team,” Chambless said. “They love to run the football, like we do. Their offensive line has just been manhandling people here of late. They have a lot of different options when it comes to running backs. Their quarterback also makes plays, too. Our defense will have its hands full.”
For Lafayette, junior Randy Anderson, senior Jamie Shaw and senior Lance Stewart have each rushed for more than 1,000 yards this season. The Commodores are averaging 327.7 yards per game on the ground with 50 rushing touchdowns.
That running game was held in check in the second half of the regular-season matchup. West Point led by the game’s final score at halftime.
“Defense had a great second half the first we met,” Chambless said. “They stopped a couple of legitimate scoring threats there late in the game. Obviously, it’s difficult to beat an evenly-matched team for the second time in a season, especially on the road.”
West Point won its ninth straight with a 55-27 win over Canton to begin the playoffs. The Green Wave owns a nine-game playoff winning streak as well, dating back to the 2015 season.
“This team really made a lot of strides in the second half of the season,” Chambless said. “They are a joy to coach. They work hard every day in practice. They haven’t been fazed by the pressure (of back-to-back state championships). They also don’t want this season to end. You see a hunger and a passion. They want to keep playing.”
Senior quarterback Jake Chambless has thrown for 973 yards and 11 touchdowns. On the ground, the Green Wave is led by junior Brandon Harris (744 yards, 13 touchdowns).
For West Point to get back to the North State title game for a third straight year, the season’s best effort may be needed on the road in a hostile environment.
“The field conditions will not be great,” Chambless said. “It’s going to be a cold, windy game, the type you expect in November. Our fans have been great all year. We want them to travel with us and come have a good time.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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