MERIDIAN —
Meridian High School did not need any motivation heading into Friday night's game against Hattiesburg. So, when Wildcat players saw a Hattiesburg T-shirt already proclaiming the Tigers champions, the team wanted to prove their opponents were greatly mistaken.
The Wildcats would do just that, as Meridian took down Hattiesburg 42-13 to earn its first win in district this season.
“It gave us a lot of motivation,” defensive back Boderick Oliver said of the shirt. “We just have to prove something every year, what the Wildcats are all about. We had to come out and play hard.”
The Wildcats got off two a fast start, as quarterback J-Mar Smith connected on his first two passes, capped off by a 22-yard touchdown pass to Issac Johnson to to put Meridian up 7-0.
Smith would complete his first four passes of the game en route to completing 14 of 22 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns on the night. However, it was not all good for the Meridian quarterback. With 11:44 left in the second quarter, Smith would throw a pick-six interception, as Hattiesburg tied the game at 7-7.
Meridian would take back the lead late in the second quarter, as the Wildcats drove 96 yards before the half, finally capitalizing on a 19-yard touchdown run from running back Richard L. McQuarley. The elusive back bounced off of three Hattiesburg defenders, swatting the Tigers away like flies before finding the end zone.
“First of all, I was just hungry,” McQuarley said. “I knew I had to do something to step up for my team, so I knew I had to do something big right there.”
Smith would add on to the Meridian lead in the third quarter as he found receiver Corey Davis for a 30-yard touchdown to put Meridian up 21-7.
With 8:05 left in the fourth quarter McQuarley slammed the door on any chance of a Tiger comeback, as the running back busted through a hole and sprinted 78 yards for his second touchdown of the game. McQuarley finished the game with 179 yards on 18 carries for the Wildcats.
“All I saw was the end zone and it felt like victory,” McQuarley said. “I just saw it and I knew I had to get there. If I didn't get that one I would have been sad all game.”
While the Wildcat offense shined bright on Friday, it was the defense that was, perhaps, the most encouraging part of Meridian's victory. After dropping its first game of the season to Natchez 54-41, Friday night's 13-point performance was satisfying for Meridian head coach Larry Weems.
“They did a great job,” Weems said of the defense. “I'm really proud of them. When you play hard and you give effort, you give your self a chance to win, and that is what they did tonight.”
Oliver led the Wildcats on defense on the night, as he reeled in two interceptions on the night. The talented defender said Meridian has learned from its past mistakes this season and is ready to continue strong defensive play for the remainder of the year.
“We knew what the mistake was last week,” Oliver said. “We didn't come out with as much effort like we should have. We came out this week and we had to make up for it. That is what we have to do from now on.”
The win moves Meridian to 5-1 (1-1) on the season, as the Wildcats will travel to Oak Grove next week.
“If you get two losses in the region it is gonna be tough,” Weems said. “It was nice to win tonight and stay in the race.”
Sports
Related Photos
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Meridian's Richard L. McQuarley breaks through the front line of the Hattiesburg defense as he picks up big yardage Friday night. Paula Merritt
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Meridian's Issac Johnson cuts up the field after a pass reception against Hattiesburg Friday night. Paula Merritt
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Meridian's J-Mar Smith makes the pitch as Hattiesburg defenders try to close in Friday night. Paula Merritt
Discussion
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