WEST POINT — The Mississippi High School Activities Association defending Class 5A state champions opened defense of their crown in style Friday night.
Senior running back Jacoby Lee and senior quarterback Justin Cox scored the first two touchdowns and helped lead West Point to a 39-14 victory against Shannon in the season opener for both teams.
Last year, Shannon beat West Point 27-20 in the first game of the season. The Green Wave then rolled off 14 consecutive victories en route to the school”s six state championship.
On Friday, West Point weathered the steamy conditions and built a 39-0 lead before allowing two scores off mistakes in the second half.
Still, West Point High coach Chris Chambless was pleased with his team”s effort.
“I thought we were in pretty decent shape,” said Chambless, whose team had several players battle cramps last season. “It was a long game. I looked at my watch at one point and it was 10:30 (after a 7:30 p.m. start), so I thought our guys did OK.”
Lee scored on a 6-yard run and Cox (94 yards passing, 77 passing), a Mississippi State commitment, added a 40-yard scoring run. Sophomore Tez Pulliam (108 yards rushing) added scoring runs of 25 and 8 yards in the second quarter.
“Jacoby is still not 100 percent, but he played with little or no pain,” Chambless said. “At times he ran football well and at times you could tell he was a little unsure, but I know he is going to be OK.”
Chambless praised the play of Pulliam and classmate Mario Virges, a fullback. Virges” brother, Curtis, was a standout on the 2009 West Point High team and is now at Mississippi State.
“(Pulliam) looked like a veteran,” Chambless said. “He ran the ball hard. When he hits the seam he can go. Mario made a few mistakes, but, at the same time, you know he is going to be OK. He made it through the whole game and played hard.”
Lee, Pulliam, and Virges helped pick up the slack for running back LaKenderic Thomas, who missed the game serving a one-game suspension.
Chambless singled out the play up front of senior LeDerrius Taylor for his role in helping the offensive line come together.
“He did an excellent job of keeping the guys under control and playing hard,” Chambless said.
Shannon had 7 yards and two first downs in the first half. Dequinten Spraggins” 89-yard interception return for a touchdown capped the first half.
“There were countless times we had all 11 around the ball,” Chambless said of his defense. “All of the coaches do a wonderful job. All of the credit goes to them and the players. They did an excellent job preparing.”
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