MACON — In recent years, it’s been rarer to see Noxubee County not in the state championship game compared to being in it.
Coming into the 2022 season, the Tigers had reached that point four times in seven years with a goal of getting there a fifth time in eight years.
A 2-3 start added some unexpected suspense, but Noxubee County didn’t waver, going 3-1 in district play and winning four of its final five regular season games.
Despite just a 6-4 record heading into the playoffs, the Tigers showed why they’ve been a regular in state title games, winning their first three playoff games by 20 or more points to set up a MHSAA Class 3A semifinal showdown with Amory, their lone district loss of the season.
Amory nearly handed them their lone playoff loss, up two touchdowns with roughly four minutes to go, but like how this season has gone, Noxubee rallied, scoring twice before the end of regulation and pulling off a 52-51 win in overtime for a spot in Friday’s 3A title game.
“They’re determined,” Noxubee County head coach Teddy Young said. “That’s one goal that we sought out: being in the state championship game at the end of the year. We had a bunch of downs this season, but we stuck together and they just have that mindset to take home that state championship for Noxubee County.”
Friday’s wild semifinal game showcased the grit and fight the Tigers (10-4) have and the weapons that they can throw out at teams in any given situation.
Quarterback KaMario Taylor has looked fantastic under center since coming back from suffering a hairline fracture in his ankle earlier this year.
Taylor had a career-high 377 yards passing in the semis against Amory, throwing for two touchdowns. It’s worth noting his 58.1 percent completion percentage and three interceptions, but he has still dominated, averaging 17.1 yards per completed pass.
Senior wide receiver Anthony Little Jr. has been a favorite target for Taylor, having one of the best seasons of anyone in 3A with 1,034 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns.
Noxubee County is just as lethal in its running game, with junior Martavius Wicks having run for over 1,200 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns this season.
Those numbers are great and all, but they don’t matter if Noxubee County can’t control the line of scrimmage.
“We have to be able to run the ball if that’s presented, and we just have to make plays,” Young said. “Receivers have to make plays and the quarterback has to be able to hit them, but the biggest key is the line of scrimmage. We have to protect our quarterback.”
The line of scrimmage is key on both sides of the ball, and it will prove to be that much more important in a game with a trophy on the line.
An 11 a.m. kickoff Friday in Hattiesburg sees the Tigers take on an opponent for the first time in program history in Raleigh, and what a better time to have that first meeting happen.
The Lions have yet to add a state title to their trophy case, but they come in with a 13-1 record, winners of nine straight games and an offense that’s averaging 43.7 points per game.
Eliminating the big play has consistently been one of the mantras for Young and the Tigers, but never has that been more important than this week.
“They have a lot of athletes on their team,” Young said. “They’re a run-first team, so we’re expecting that and we have to stop it and not miss tackles.”
The goal this season for the Tigers was to return back to the state championship game, but a new goal has emerged: end a five-year title drought and win the sixth state title in program history.
MHSAA football championships at a glance
Where: M.M. Roberts Stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
How to stream: NFHS Network (misshsaa.tv)
Friday
11 a.m.: Raleigh vs. Noxubee County, Class 3A
3 p.m.: Bay Springs vs. McEvans, Class 1A
7 p.m.: Picayune vs. West Point, Class 5A
Saturday
11 a.m.: Mendenhall vs. Louisville, Class 4A
3 p.m.: Scott Central vs. Charleston, Class 2A
7 p.m.: Brandon vs. Starkville, Class 6A
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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 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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