Signs that West Point High School and Philadelphia High School were playing a practice football game were apparent early Saturday.
The opening kickoff was delayed because one of the two buses bringing Philadelphia players to the stadium got lost in Lowndes County.
On West Point’s first possession, play was again delayed as managers had to be summoned to supply a game ball.
Then the second half heat time out was delayed because no one was in the press box to stop the clock.
On the field, the play also had stretches of similar sloppiness. Still, West Point turned to its talented backfield to post a 22-0 victory.
“We have a lot of playmakers,” West Point senior back Tez Lane said. “The key to our offense is we can attack from a number of different places.”
The Green Wave offensive line forced its will on an overmatched Tornadoes squad.
Junior running back Aeris Williams scored on a 1-yard run in the first half and also scored on a nifty shake-and-bake 65-yard punt return in the second half.
Lane also had an 80-yard scoring jaunt of his own in the second half.
“It was a scrimmage and you saw a lot of areas where we struggled,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “We had some missed assignments. We didn’t line up correctly a couple of times. But they were all things we can fix.”
The West Point defense forced two turnovers but failed to cash in on another forced fumble and also had a pass break-up not go for a relatively-easy interception.
In the final minute, West Point senior kicker Eric Lemus drilled a 40-yard field goal.
Now, West Point can turn its thoughts to Saturday’s season opener at South Panola.
“A lot of people give us no chance because South Panola smashes everybody,” Williams said. “But we plan to go up there and give it our best shot.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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