By Harlan Kirgan/Mississippi Press
GAUTIER — Gautier threatened Wayne County early, but the War Eagles took command with a first-quarter interception that robbed the Gators of their momentum in a 46-26 win to open the Class 5A playoffs Friday.
Gautier jumped off to a 6-0 lead, but that was the only time the Gators were ahead. They tied the game at 14-14 in the second quarter, then gave up a field goal and a touchdown by halftime.
“I thought we came out ready to play and we played real well,” said Gautier coach Arlton Hudson. “The game was 17-14 and we take it right back down the field and might have gone up 21-17. We had the turnover and that was probably the key start of the game right there. That sort of turned the momentum and we were never able to get it back.”
Wayne County head coach Marcus Boyles said the turning point was when his team tied the game up at 14-14.
“I think the second half us scoring the first three times we had the ball and the defense making adjustments (were key)," Boyles added.
The War Eagles (9-3) will continue in the playoffs and host West Jones in the next round.
Gautier (7-5) picked up the first score of the game on a first-down pass from quarterback Travonta Thomas to James Pascley in a play that began on the Gautier 39. Pascley received the ball over the center at about the 25 and ran in for the score. Jacob Johnson missed the extra point.
With 11:35 on the first quarter clock, Wayne County began a drive on its 26 and after 17 plays, Andre Rankin carried the ball over over from the 2. Garrett Reynolds made the extra point to give the Warriors a 7-6 lead.
Wayne County scored on its next possession starting from its own 38 and eight plays later, quarterback Demarcus Henderson lofted a pass down the middle to Rankin from 45 yards out. Reynolds kicked the extra point for a 14-6 Wayne County lead.
Gautier responded with a 10-play drive that started on its 32. Ryan Drivers carried the ball over from the 3. On the extra point, Adonis Polk carried the ball off the right side of the line and, twisting and turning, was finally knocked into the end zone by Wayne County defenders to even the score at 14-14.
The War Eagles responded with a drive that started from their 34 and ended at the Gautier 20 with a successful field goal by Reynolds to regain the Wayne County lead, 17-14.
Wayne County scored again after Julius McQueen intercepted a Thomas pass at the WC 13. It was the series that Hudson said broke the Gator’s momentum.
With four minutes left in the second quarter, Dewayne Davis took the ball from the 17 and raced 83 yards for the touchdown. Gautier’s Jolene Hawkins briefly had a hand on Davis, but the runner managed to escape. Rasharid Boman ran a two-point conversion for a 25-14 score.
The War Eagles opened the second half with a scoring drive that began on their 36 and ended with Rankin scoring on a three-yard run. Reynolds made the extra point to give Wayne County a 32-14 lead.
On their next possession, the War Eagles scored in a 53-yard drive capped with a Rasharid Boman scoring from the 5. Reynolds made the kick for a 39-14 score.
On Gautier’s next possession, Wayne County’s Ladarius Washam intercepted a Gautier pass at on the War Eagles’ 23. In 12 downs, Henderson scored on a 7-yard keeper and Reynolds made the extra point for a 46-14 lead with 11:34 left in the game.
Gautier responded with an 83-yard drive that ended with Polk rushing 33 yards for the touchdown. The Gators went for two points, but Drivers fell short for a 46-20 score.
Gautier made the final score of the game after a 62-yard drive that ended with Thomas scoring on a 15-yard run with 1:19 left in the game. Thomas was stopped on a two-point conversion to end the game at 46-26.
