West Lauderdale went back to do what they do best.
Run the football.
The Knights rushed 42 times for a total 368 yards to get past county rival Clarkdale 42-16 on Friday night.
“I challenged the guys all week to be themselves and it was a major improvement from last week. We talked about coming out with a lot of intensity and the guys answered the call,” said West Lauderdale coach Brock Clay. “We played how we were supposed to play. We threw the ball two times and went to our philosophy that we’ve been so successful with and that’s running the ball.”
Quarterback Kayden Peoples had 106 yards rushing on just eight carries with four touchdowns to lead West Lauderdale (1-1). His touchdown runs came from 37, 31, 18 and 3 yards out.
Trey Mosley added 15 carries for 128 yards and had a 37-yard touchdown run.
“We converted plays on the ground and didn’t put ourselves in bad situations and that’s something we talked about all week,” Clay said. “Now it’s on to Neshoba Central. It’s a rivalry game and this game will be one of the most physical football games when we play each other.“
Leland Harris had 100 yards rushing on 14 carries with a touchdown to lead Clarkdale (0-2).
“We’ve got an extremely challenging non-division schedule. We dress half as many players as most of the teams in our first five games, but we’re learning and improving each week,” said Clarkdale coach Will Vollor. “We’re a young, inexperienced team that has a high ceiling if we can continue to get better and stay healthy.”
Meridian 26, Biloxi 6
The Wildcats used a big third quarter to get past the Indians on the road and earn their first win of the season under Shelton Gandy.
With the game tied 6-6 at halftime, Meridian (1-1) scored 20 unanswered points in the third quarter to pull away with the win.
Anthony Brown had 16 rushes for 119 yards and two touchdowns to lead Meridian. Corey McCann tossed for 62 yards with a touchdown for the Wildcats.
SE Lauderdale 21, Richland 20
The Tigers scored 14 unanswered points in the second half after being down 20-7 at halftime to get past the Rangers on the road.
Jaden Harbin went 9-for-15 for 105 yards with two touchdowns. Je’lun Ivy had 54 yards rushing on 11 carries, 28 yards passing, 2 catches for 30 yards with a touchdown and blocked the game winning field goal attempt with 1:40 left in the game to seal the win.
Harbin found Ivy on a 28-yard touchdown pass to give SE Lauderdale (1-1) the lead.
Tri-County Academy 42, NE Lauderdale 7
Hayden Hunt had 17 carries for 170 yards with three touchdowns and Cooper Johnson added 117 yards on 12 carries as the Rebels ran all over the Trojans in Flora on Friday night.
Jase Jimison scored on a 2-yard run for the only score of the game for NE Lauderdale (1-1). The Trojans only managed 59 yards of total offense.
Winston Academy 35, Lamar School 34 (Double OT)
For a second straight game the Raiders were their own worst enemy as they turned the ball over three times in the double overtime loss to the Patriots.
Wyatt Bond went 24-of-37 passing for 320 yards with three touchdowns and added 43 yards rushing and two touchdowns to lead Lamar School (1-2).
“Tough loss in double overtime to very tough Winston team. Another game where at time we were own worst enemy with the turnovers were,” said Lamar School coach Jacob Land. “What’s important now is for us to understand how important each game is from here on out.”