WEST POINT — After opening up the scoring midway through the first quarter, West Point had gained an early advantage in Thursday night’s game against Columbus.
The Green Wave, riding a seven-game winning streak heading into their final game of the season, needed one more win to secure a sixth district title in seven years.
With how good this team has been this season, opening the door ever so slightly for West Point can turn catastrophic for its opponent, and the Falcons learned the hard way in a span of three minutes or so.
A lost fumble and interception gave the ball back to the Green Wave, who needed just two plays on each drive to score, taking an emphatic 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
It was a lead the Green Wave (8-2) wouldn’t relinquish in a 35-0 win over Columbus (5-6).
“We knew Columbus was tough, and they were tough,” West Point head coach Chris Chambless said. “They were hard-nosed, tough, and we needed a game like this. That’s why I kept a lot of my main guys out there. We hadn’t played a complete game in three games, and we needed to do that going into the playoffs.”
The potent rushing attack of West Point struck gold once again on Thursday, as Kahnen Daniels, Keshawn Henley and Quinterion Tillman-Evans each scored a touchdown on the ground.
Daniels and Henley each ran for two touchdowns in the win, and for Daniels specifically, these impressive offensive performances have become commonplace.
The junior quarterback has been one of the most electrifying players in all of Class 5A football, and his poise under center has allowed this offense to flourish.
“Everything has been clicking for us on offense and defense,” Daniels said. “We’re staying as one unit, and we’re playing together.”
A district championship was potentially on the line for both teams, with West Point just needing a win and Columbus needing a win and help from Lake Cormorant in its game against Lafayette.
Columbus had been playing great in district play, with a 5-1 record heading into Thursday’s game, a postseason berth locked up and momentum on the side of the Falcons.
Despite all that riding in their favor, nothing could have stopped the high level of offensive success at which West Point was able to execute.
“There’s a reason why (West Point) has won countless district and state championships,” Columbus head coach Joshua Pulphus said. “We knew coming in that we had to be at our best and play at our best if we want to get to the level that we want to be at.
“I’m still proud of my boys, how they came in and competed. We just came up short, just a few missed assignments.”
Once West Point jumped out to that 21-0 lead, it seemed like there was no stopping the Green Wave, but Columbus didn’t waver, putting a drive together toward the end of the first quarter that saw the Falcons get inside West Point’s 10-yard line.
Points seemed almost likely until a costly false start pushed the Falcons back as the Green Wave stood tall on defense.
Even though that stop came early in the second quarter, the game felt over as all West Point needed to do was let its defense take over and cruise on the offensive side of the ball.
Both teams are headed to the Class 5A postseason, which starts next week.
West Point has the added benefit of a first-round home playoff game against Holmes County Central, while Columbus will travel to play Neshoba Central.
“It’s huge,” Chambless said. “We want to be on this field throughout as far as we can. We wanted to control our destiny and not count on anyone else.”
The Green Wave will be able to do just that beginning Nov. 11.
West Point 35, Columbus 0
Columbus (5-6) 0 0 0 0 — 0
West Point (8-2) 21 7 7 0 — 35
First quarter
WP — Keshawn Henley 12 run (Corbin Hendricks kick), clock 6:25
WP — Quinterion Tillman-Evans 11 run (Hendricks kick), clock 5:08
WP — Kahnen Daniels 12 run (Hendricks kick), clock 3:12
Second quarter
WP — Henley 40 run (Hendricks kick), clock 5:07
Third quarter
WP — Daniels 20 run (Hendricks kick), clock 9:30
Other scores
Prep girls soccer
Starkville 5, St. Andrew’s Episcopal 0
RIDGELAND — Starkville took care of business in a big way against St. Andrew’s Episcopal with a 5-0 victory on Thursday.
Emma Wilson led the Yellow Jackets (1-2-1) with a hat trick in the victory as Olivia Anderson and Lyna Driouche each had a goal as well.
Starkville will host Caledonia in its next match at 1:15 p.m. Saturday.
Prep boys soccer
Starkville 2, St. Andrew’s Episcopal 1
RIDGELAND — In a very closely contested match, Starkville came out with a 2-1 road victory over St. Andrew’s on Thursday.
Ben Buehler and Holloway Wilsey were the goal-scorers for the Yellow Jackets, who improved to a perfect 3-0 on the year. Micah Caples also assisted both of the goals.
Starkville will host Caledonia in its next match at 3 p.m. Saturday.
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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 44 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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