MACON — Antonio McCloud took one step and was surrounded by friends and families.
The Noxubee County High School senior defensive end took a few minutes to join in on several pictures and to catch up with loved ones. As soon as McCloud finished one picture with three girls, there were others waiting to get their picture taken with the man of the evening.
In addition to being named Homecoming king at halftime, McCloud came up with two fumble recoveries to help Noxubee County beat Leake Central High 41-13 in a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A, Region 4 game at Tiger Stadium.
“I was nervous because I never knew I was going to win, but I knew I wanted to win,” McCloud said. “It means a lot because everybody’s enjoying themselves on Homecoming.”
McCloud beat out teammate Eddison Rice for the honor that was voted on by their peers. He received a crown and sash and was recognized with Homecoming queen Kyia Foote.
As a result of the ceremony, McCloud missed most of Noxubee County coach Tyrone Shorter’s halftime speech. Shorter said he wasn’t surprised McCloud won because he knew his senior’s personality was going to earn him a lot of votes.
“He’s a funny guy,” Shorter said. “It seems like he’s never in a bad mood. He’s a great player, a good teammate, and a coachable kid. We’re just glad to have him a part of our team, and I’m just glad to have this opportunity to coach him these so many years. He’s a great guy and a tough football player.”
Backup quarterback Armoni Clark, who was 8 of 10 for 162 yards and three touchdowns, is McCloud’s cousin. He said Clark didn’t pressure him to vote for him for Homecoming king.
“He’s a motivational guy. When people are down, he’ll help them out. He’s a cool guy,” Clark said.
McCloud helped give the Tigers (4-4, 2-0 region) a 28-7 lead with two fumble recoveries in the second quarter. The Gators (3-5, 0-2) moved as far as the Tigers’ 27-yard line, but a 1-yard loss by quarterback Ty’Zarrius Armon made it second-and-11 from the 28. Armon took the snap, but fumbled it and McCloud swept it to recover it.
The Tigers took advantage, as Clark hit Kyziah Pruitt for a 54-yard touchdown.
On Leake Central’s next possession, McCloud got between Armon and his running back on an option play. He knocked down the pitch with one hand and fell on it to give Noxubee County the ball at the Leake Central 17.
Two plays later, Clark hit Kaddarrion Outlaw for a 10-yard touchdown and a three-touchdown lead at halftime.
“Those two stops he gave us, it helped the offense get our confidence up,” Clark said.
McCloud agreed the fumble recoveries gave the offense confidence.
McCloud said he wasn’t happy with his play in his first two games.
“I really slacked off the first two ballgames,” McCloud said. “Those were my two terrible games. I kept going and I kept going and it kept getting better, kept getting better.”
The Gators got the ball to start the second half and McCloud tackled wide receiver Jacob Johnson in the backfield on a jet sweep for a 6-yard loss. A bad snap on the punt yielded a fumble and Noxubee County took over at the Leake Central 12. However, starting quarterback Maliek Stallings threw an interception.
Shorter said McCloud has been a surprise this year after backing up current Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons.
“He’s quick as a cat,” Shorter said. “He’s what we need at defensive end. We lost a great one last year in Jeffery. He didn’t start last year, but this year he has played a lot and gotten a lot of experience, and it’s starting to show.”
The Tigers took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter as Clark found Outlaw for a 23-yard touchdown. The Gators tied the game at 7 with an 8-yard Travez May touchdown in the second quarter. The Tigers scored five-straight touchdowns, including a Javarcus Walker 90-yard kickoff return in the second quarter to take a 14-7 lead. Ty’Quintin Ramsey had an 11-yard touchdown and Stallings hit Kymbotric Mason for a 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
After losing three games in a row, the Tigers have won back-to-back region games.
McCloud called himself a cool, laid-back guy who doesn’t talk much. Although being named Homecoming king put a big smile on is face, he said he was more excited about his play on the field.
“I helped my team a lot (with the fumble recoveries),” McCloud said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports 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 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
