HATTIESBURG – Thirty-two-year title drought? Snapped. Narratives about Tupelo football? Dead. Perfect season to boot? Mission accomplished.
Tupelo is bringing home its first state title since 1992 after a 28-16 win over Brandon in the Class 7A state title game Thursday night at M.M. Roberts Stadium. J.J. Hill led Tupelo’s offense with 224 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, plus a receiving touchdown.
“This is something special that’s going on,” Tupelo head coach Ty Hardin said. “A special senior class, special young guys, and they came to work every day. They’re hungry, and I’m so proud of them. I’m just blessed to be their football coach.”
On offense, Tupelo (14-0) did what it’s done all year long and turned to Hill. Class 7A’s Mr. Football picked up a pivotal 3rd and 19 on Tupelo’s opening drive and capped off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run a few plays later. Tupelo’s next possession ended on the first play when Hill took a screen pass 37 yards to the house to hand Tupelo a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
But things spiraled out of control for Tupelo after that. Back-to-back possessions in the red zone yielded zero points, and Brandon (12-2) blocked a punt for a touchdown in the third quarter to trim the Tupelo advantage to 14-10.
Tupelo responded with a touchdown, which Brandon immediately answered with one of its own. Despite another scoreless trip to the red zone, Tupelo forced a turnover on downs late in the fourth quarter. Tupelo’s defense bottled up a Brandon offense that came into Thursday’s game averaging over 40 points per game for most of the night.
“That’s supposed to be the most explosive offense in the state,” Hardin said. “That’s been our defense all season. They love a challenge. They come out every week hungry. Two weeks ago we played Starkville, ran up and down the field on us. I knew that weekend, I saw our guys’ faces, that it was the best thing to happen to us. And they’ve been there ever since.”
Hill broke off one final touchdown run on the ensuing drive to put the game away. Hill has been a touchdown machine for Tupelo, and it was a fitting ending for Tupelo’s offense.
“I wanted it bad,” Hill said. “I told coach to give me the ball and I was going to end it.”
Extra Points
Turning Point: Tupelo scored two touchdowns in the first quarter to jump out to a 14-0 lead, and the Golden Wave never trailed.
Point Man: Hill finished the game with 224 yards on the ground and two touchdowns on 34 carries in addition to a 37-yard receiving touchdown.
Talking Point: “I’m ecstatic, man. I don’t really know what to say. I just got ice water poured on me, I don’t even feel cold right now. I’m ready to go kiss my wife some more, get back to T-town, celebrate a little bit more.” – Hardin
Notes
- Tupelo outgained Brandon 328-221
- Tupelo ended the night just 2 for 5 in the red zone
- Tupelo quarterback Noah Gillon ran for a pivotal 15-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
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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 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
