PONTOTOC – In a battle between two run-heavy offenses, West Point’s duo of Shamane Clark and Cam Randle scored a decisive win.
The two combined for over 220 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a 34-14 win at Pontotoc Friday night. West Point rebounded from an early deficit and shut down Pontotoc’s offense the rest of the way.
“That’s our identity – run the ball, play good defense,” West Point head coach Brett Morgan said. “I’m pleased with those two guys. They did another great job tonight. Our O-line, our tight ends, our fullbacks, I can go down the list in the run game. … Shamane and Cam, that’s what you see because everybody talks about the ball carriers, but it’s a whole lot more than just one or two people in this run game.”
Pontotoc (4-4, 1-3 Region 1-5A) took an early 7-0 lead after a bad snap on a West Point (6-3, 4-0) punt handed the Warriors the ball near the end zone. But it was all West Point after that.
Clark ripped off a 34-yard touchdown run to help tie the game at seven, and Randle found the end zone midway through the second quarter to give the Green Wave the lead. On its next drive, West Point ran the ball down the field, and Randle punched it in to hand the Green Wave a 21-7 halftime lead.
West Point started the second half with another touchdown drive capped off by a Clark run, and Pontotoc couldn’t recover from the 21-point hole. Clark had a team-high 141 yards and two scores.
“It’s all (the offensive line) – it ain’t just me and Cam,” Clark said. “The O-line, the fullbacks, everybody, it’s a team, defense.”
Pontotoc did what it could to hang around against one of the area’s heavyweights. But the Warriors couldn’t keep up with the Green Wave in the end.
“They’re a good football team, they’ll make a run and probably be in the state championship again,” Pontotoc head coach Jeff Carter said. “I was proud of the way our guys played hard to the end, and we’ve got a shot to get in the playoffs next week and have a winning season.”
Extra Points
Turning Point: Clark’s 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter started a 21-0 run to end the first half for West Point.
Point Man: Clark led West Point with 141 yards and two touchdowns.
Talking Point: “Our offensive scout team probably should get the game ball because they got our defense ready and gave them a great look.” – Morgan on stopping Pontotoc’s triple option offense.
Notes
West Point scored 34 unanswered points.
West Point has won four games in a row.
Courtland Pass led Pontotoc with 80 rushing yards and a touchdown
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