WEST POINT — For the second time this season, West Point needed a second-half comeback against Lafayette.

And just like it did in its Sept. 27 win against the Commodores, the defense tightened up in the second half. That’s about where the similarities end between the two contests, though.

After trailing 14-7 at halftime Friday in West Point, the Green Wave saved their season with a 21-14 victory against the Commodores in the second round of the Class 5A MHSAA playoffs, keeping the dreams of a four-peat alive.

It wasn’t the flag fest it was the last time these two teams played after the Green Wave narrowly won a game when 41-combined penalties were called. Nor was it standout quarterback Brandon Harris coming to the rescue this time around, as the senior did his best to fight through an ankle injury.

Rather, it was senior running back Dantariyus Cannon’s 58-yard go-ahead fourth quarter touchdown that sealed West Point’s fifth win over Lafayette in the last three years. With the victory, the Green Wave will take on Neshoba Central in the north final at 7 p.m. Friday in West Point. The win also improves West Point’s record to 56-3 since 2016.

“We knew the game wasn’t over,” Cannon said. “We always know the game isn’t over until the clock hits zeros.”

Cannon finished the day with 123 yards on 15 carries and scored all three of West Point’s touchdowns.

“He picked us up a lot,” Harris said.

Harris told The Dispatch he’s been battling a high ankle sprain, and West Point did its best to rest its signal caller, rolling out packages with Cannon and Corbin Kelley at quarterback. Nevertheless, Harris still completed 2 of 6 passes for 59 yards and ran for 72 yards on 14 carries.

“It’s hard for me to run right now,” Harris said. “But my ankle is feeling a lot better after a win.”

Lafayette opened the scoring after standout quarterback Randy Anderson punched in a touchdown from 5 yards out late in the first quarter, then Cannon answered with his first touchdown run midway through the second quarter.

The Commodores took the lead into halftime after Anderson connected with wideout Kylen Vaughn on a fly route from 25 yards out with 3:34 remaining before the break.

After the Green Wave punted on their opening possession of the second half, Lafayette muffed the punt and gave West Point prime field position in the red zone. Cannon punched in his second touchdown from nine yards out, tying the game at 14 apiece.

Lafayette was knocking on the door as the final seconds were ticking off in the third quarter, as the Commodores faced a 4th-and-1 from West Point’s 5-yard line. Anderson was stuffed on the play, keeping Lafayette off the scoreboard.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Cannon made the play of the game with his 58-yard touchdown run, cutting to the right side of the field and making a few defenders miss.

“I saw that lane open,” Cannon said. “When I saw that, I knew I had to cut it off.”

Right around that time, heavy rain started falling from the sky, making passing situations all the more difficult. Lafayette had one final chance to put together a game-tying drive, but Anderson’s desperation heave fell short on 4th-and-5 with 1:25 left.

“We’ll look back on this and it’ll hurt for a while,” Lafayette coach Michael Fair said.

Shortly after going through the handshake line, Harris ran over to Anderson and congratulated his friend wearing a different uniform on a standout season. “We’re gonna bring one home for y’all,” Harris said.

Jimothy Mays ran for 56 yards on eight carries for West Point, while Trey Ryland had 59 yards receiving.

With the playoff win in tow, West Point sits two wins away from winning its fourth straight state championship.

“I can taste it,” Harris said. “We have to get it.”

Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.