By Jamie Wachter / executive sports editor
Wayne County remembers.
One year ago, it was the War Eagles that were the top seed in the playoffs before falling to region rival West Jones two games away from the state championship.
This season, the Mustangs won the regular season matchup and the Region 3-5A top seed. When the two clash tonight at War Eagle Stadium in Waynesboro, the War Eagles are looking to exact a little revenge.
"It's another opportunity," Wayne County coach Marcus Boyles said. "Last year, they ended our season when we were the top seed and this year those roles are kind of reversed.
"We would love to knock them out."
Last season, Wayne County topped the Mustangs 24-7 in the regular season before West Jones reversed the script in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs, winning 10-7 at home.
This year, the Mustangs won 17-7 on their way to the region crown with an unblemished mark. West Jones improved to 11-0 with a 47-21 win against Long Beach in the first round of the playoffs last week. Wayne County is 9-3 following a 46-26 win on the road against Gautier last week.
Keying that win was quarterback Demarcus Henderson, who hurt his knee in the first meeting between the rivals and missed the War Eagles' next game. The senior has completed more than 60 percent of his passes (113-of-185) for 1,565 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has also added 229 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.
"He's the leader of our offense," Boyles said. "It's just like in every offense, the quarterback is really the key to that execution and playing well.
"He's important and hopefully he'll play well, but those playmakers around him need to make plays for him, too."
Making plays around Henderson this season has been Malik Lofton. Henderson's top target has hauled in 46 passes for 754 yards and four scores. Dewayne Davis has also provided a lift, leading Wayne County's rushing attack with 763 yards.
The Mustangs counter with a balanced offensive attack of their own, spearheaded by running back Devontay Barnett. The junior has accumulated 1,046 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground.
"It's a great challenge," Boyles said of defending West Jones. "It starts with the running game. They've got an outstanding running back and a great offensive line."
The Mustangs, though, are also adept at throwing the ball. Quarterback Ben Stevens has thrown for 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns on the year. Xavier Hilton has seven of those scoring tosses, as he has hauled in 46 passes for 556 yards.
"Ben Stevens has been playing very well the past four or five games, and it's really added another dimension to their offense," Boyles noted. "They're a little more explosive than they were early in the year thanks to that passing attack."
That improvement doesn't come as a surprise to Boyles. Neither does facing West Jones for a second time. It's becoming the norm for the two rivals, as this is the fourth postseason meeting since 2003.
"We've done it so many times now the past six years, that it's not surprising," Boyles added. "We expect to play them twice now.
"It's a big game and it's a rivalry game, but there is so much more on the line than a rivalry this time. The winner goes to the South State championship and the loser waits until next year."
Wayne County remembers.
