LOUISVILLE — Malcomn Purtue stalked the sideline itching for someone to say something.
The Noxubee County High School senior wasn’t pleased his team was trailing Louisville in the second half Friday night. He also wasn’t happy the Tigers were playing without a swagger that has epitomized the program’s championship teams.
“I was just telling them to keep our heads up because we have been in that situation before, down against them before,” Purtue said when asked what he told his teammates as he marched the sideline. “I know every time we get down we get our heads down, so I just go around and tell them that isn’t good. I try to fire them up and try to give them confidence and get them to play hard every play.”
Purtue was still energized moments after Elijah Wilkes’ 21-yard field goal with two seconds remaining lifted Louisville to a 27-26 victory against Noxubee County at R.E. Hinze Stadium.
The Wildcats (7-1, 2-0 Class 4A, Region 4) had just moved from their 20-yard line to kick the winning points in the final 2 minutes, 55 seconds. The score erased a 14-point spurt by the Tigers (3-5, 0-1) in a span of 2:25 that helped them overcome a 12-point deficit and set them up to extend their 30-game region winning streak.
Instead, Purtue and the Tigers were left stunned at the final twist of momentum. While agitated at the result, Purtue buzzed behind Noxubee County coach Tyrone Shorter as he made his post-game speech to the team. Purtue listened as Shorter encouraged his players to use the loss as fuel to start the season fresh. Purtue echoed that sentiment when he said the Tigers have to return to practice Monday ready to keep their dreams for another state title alive.
“It is going to motivate us to work harder every day, every minute, every second,” Purtue said. “I think this team is capable of doing that, especially after a loss like this. We are going to come back and work harder.”
Purtue and Travorus Hunter were involved in what many thought was a game-winning sequence minutes earlier in the fourth quarter. A 31-yard touchdown pass from Khristopher White to Savion Price helped Noxubee County cut the deficit to 24-20 with 4:37 to play. The Tigers then forced the Wildcats to punt after three plays netted 9 yards. Purtue and Hunter capitalized on the opportunity by bursting through the middle of the line. The opening allowed Hunter to block the punt. JaQuarius Jamison scooped up the fumble and scored to give the Tigers all of the momentum. Unfortunately, a blocked kick — the Tigers’ third missed kick — provided a chance for the Wildcats to win with a field goal.
Purtue said the Tigers weren’t going to allow the loss to define their season.
“We just have to make good decisions on defense and on offense and cut down on the penalties and play ball,” Purtue said. “It has been hard, but we have to work with what we have. We still have guys that should be able to make plays, so we just have to be use what we have got and come out with the win.”
Senior wide receiver Kyziah Pruitt, who returned after being injured against Starkville in the first game of the season, agreed and said the Tigers will get back to work with renewed focus.
“Everybody has to keep their head up,” Pruitt said. “The older guys, we have to be mature. (The younger guys) have never been through this type of situation. We have been through it. We just have to keep them motivated and know the game is not over.”
Pruitt had nine catches for 87 yards. He showed the spark he brings to the offense when he caught a 36-yard pass from White on the Tigers’ first play. Pruitt appeared to score, but he was ruled out of bounds at the 9-yard line. Noxubee County scored three plays later but missed the extra point. The Tigers also failed to convert a two-point conversion later in the game, and had 11 penalties on a night that was far from clean for both teams. The effort left players and coaches from both teams thinking a rematch could be in store late in November to decide which squad advances to the state title game.
“This is not even our best game. The team is not even at 100 percent,” Pruitt said. “We still have some key guys out. I feel like we came in here and competed with a Louisville team that is riding high. We are trying to get our momentum back, so I think we’re going to be all right. We are going to be back. We are going to be in the North State championship game. I don’t know about them. Wherever we have to play, home, away, three hours away, wherever we have to go, we’re going to win.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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