Regardless of whether momentum actually exists in sports, Noxubee County is playing its best football of the year heading into the MHSAA Class 3A semifinals on Friday night, which will send the Tigers on a 3.5-hour bus ride southwest to Jefferson County.
Noxubee County (9-4) outlasted Jefferson Davis County at home last week in a back-and-forth, 29-22 victory as Tigers quarterback Kamario Taylor tossed four touchdown passes, two of which covered 65 yards. That included the eventual game-winner in the fourth quarter, which went to his favorite target, Dequadrion Welch.
“We’ve played well in all three phases,” Noxubee County head coach Teddy Young said. “Special teams is playing great. Defensively, we’re creating a lot of turnovers and not giving up big plays. And offensively, we’re making explosive plays and we’re not turning the ball over.”
Taylor, a junior who committed to Mississippi State last month, has thrown for 3,177 yards in 13 games this season with a remarkable ratio of 43 touchdowns against just five interceptions. He is a threat in the running game as well, averaging 9.9 yards per carry and 749 rushing yards in total with 12 more touchdowns.
Welch, a senior who will play next year at Mississippi Valley State, has 1,311 receiving yards on 71 catches and 19 scores. But he is far from Taylor’s only option in the passing game. Sophomore Ledareoun Mosley (36 receptions, 636 yards, 10 touchdowns), senior Jaylen King (31 catches, 525 yards, eight touchdowns) and senior Jadquist Clark (23 receptions, 489 yards, five touchdowns) are all threats as well.
Senior running back Martavius Wicks helps keep opposing defenses honest, with 842 rushing yards on 118 carries and seven touchdowns.
“Our offensive line, they’ve been dominating the line of scrimmage and that’s been giving us a chance to win,” Young said. “All credit goes to the offensive line.”
Defensively, the Tigers are led by Ekamryn Smith, Kyrin Oliver, Teddy Roby and BJ Payton, each of whom have racked up more than 100 tackles and at least five sacks. In the secondary, Lekyleron Dancy and Artez McCrary lead the way with three interceptions apiece.
Jefferson County (9-3), also nicknamed the Tigers, has quarterback Jabari Watson at the controls, a senior who has compiled 2,461 passing yards and 26 touchdowns with eight interceptions to go along with 658 rushing yards and 10 more scores. Royale Shelvy is his favorite receiver, with 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns on 63 catches, and Jamarian Claiborne leads Jefferson County’s rushing attack with 950 yards and six scores.
“Offensively they are very good,” Young said. “They can throw it around and run it, they’re pretty balanced. Defensively, they’re fast and athletic. It comes down to how we play in the trenches.”
The names to know in Jefferson County’s defense are Jermall Williams (a team-high 116 tackles), London Johnson (10 sacks) and Deanthony Miller (six interceptions). Jefferson County edged Magee 30-27 in the second round but defeated Seminary by a more comfortable 30-17 margin last week.
The teams do have one common opponent — Noxubee County handily defeated South Pike 35-6 in its playoff opener on Nov. 3, but Jefferson County fell to that same Eagles team 30-22 in district play.
“I’m expecting a hard-fought game,” Young said. “We have to be able to match their energy and focus on executing.”
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