DECATUR — Caledonia’s playoff magic has continued through to the quarterfinals of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A playoffs as the Cavaliers defeated Newton County, 27-24, in the second round on Friday.
“I’m extremely proud of our young men and football program for the character and guts they showed in the game Friday night,” head coach Michael Kelly said. “In the end, was it all pretty? Absolutely not, but we did enough to win the game. Resilient group of players and coaches.”
The Cavaliers, who entered the playoffs as a No. 4 seed, have now upset a district champion and No. 2 seed en route to the quarterfinals.
Friday’s game certainly got close, but with a rather stout defense and strong showing from the offense, Caledonia (6-5) got the job done when it needed to.
“In the first half, we weren’t ready to play, not playing well on either side of the ball,” Kelly said. “Tip your hat to Newton for coming out and hitting us in the mouth. The second half, we got a few drives together, converted some big third downs and eventually scored points. Jaxon Shellman had a big interception that we turned into points as well. Big time momentum swing.”
Now, the toughest test of the season awaits, as the Cavs travel to Louisville for a 7 p.m. Friday kickoff. Louisville beat Caledonia, 55-7, earlier this season, and is undefeated at 12-0 and arguably one of the best teams in the state. The Wildcats have outscored opponents 68-7 through the first two rounds of the postseason.
West Lowndes 24, Potts Camp 15, MHSAA Class 1A playoffs, second round
POTTS CAMP — West Lowndes has found success at the right time as the Panthers, despite coming into the playoffs with a 3-6 record, have now reached the quarterfinals of the MHSAA Class 1A playoffs.
The Panthers were on the road for the second-straight game this postseason, traveling to Marshall County to play Potts Camp, where the Region 3 champs fell at home to West Lowndes, 24-15.
Friday marked the second-straight postseason game in which the Panthers (5-6) allowed 15 or fewer points, but West Lowndes’ defense will surely be tested this week against Region 1 champion Biggersville.
West Lowndes will host the Lions (9-1) in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Friday. Biggersville, who rolled over West Lowndes, 46-8, in early September, are averaging 42.3 points per game while only allowing 12.3 points per game.
Biggersville defeated Okolona, 49-8, in a second-round matchup last week.
Noxubee County 49, St. Stanislaus 14, MHSAA Class 3A playoffs, second round
BAY ST. LOUIS — It turns out that records don’t mean that much in the postseason as Noxubee County went on the road to play a 9-1 St. Stanislaus team on Friday in the second round of the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs.
The Tigers (8-4) demolished the Rock-a-Chaws, 49-14, behind a fantastic performance from junior quarterback Kamario Taylor, who accounted for nearly 400 yards of total offense and six touchdowns in the win.
Taylor ran for 167 yards and four touchdowns, including an 88-yard TD run, while also throwing for 214 yards and two touchdowns.
The win sets up a primetime quarterfinal showdown in Macon at 7 p.m. Friday as the Tigers host Region 6 champion Jefferson Davis County. The Jaguars (10-2) nipped Enterprise Clarke, a team Noxubee shut out, 41-0, in October, in their second-round matchup last week.
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