By Daniel Rigdon / sports writer
WAYNESBORO — Wayne County had its back to a wall Friday night as it found itself minutes away from an exit in the Class 5A playoffs. However, a bad punt gave Wayne all it needed as it drove 27 yards for a touchdown as the War Eagles downed Moss Point 32-28 in the South State championship game to earn a berth in the Class 5A title game in Jackson.
Wayne County (11-3) will meet West Point in the championship game Dec. 5. The Green Wave downed New Hope 41-21 in Friday's North State title game.
The first quarter would start off slow as both defenses played tough. The first score of the game would come when an errant snap by the War Eagles (11-3) would be recovered in the end zone for a Moss Point safety. Moss Point (11-3) would stretch its lead to 5-0 as Jason Loris connected on a 41-yard field goal as time expired in the first quarter.
Wayne would respond as it drove 67 yards in eight plays that was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run from Dee Sims. The point after attempt would be blocked.
Moss Point would answer back two possessions later as Byron James dashed for a 14-yard touchdown run to put the Tigers up 11-6. The two-point conversion attempt was denied by Wayne.
However, the War Eagles, as they did all night, battled back as Demarcus Henderson hooked up with Malik Lofton for a 28-yard touchdown pass to give Wayne a 14-11 advantage heading into halftime.
The second half began on a Wayne County miscue as it muffed the kickoff and Moss Point recovered at the War Eagle 42. The Tigers would capitalize as they used just five plays to regain the lead on a 36-yard touchdown scamper by Reggie Matthews to make it 18-14.
Yet again Wayne would answer as it strung together a nine-play, 59-yard drive that was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Andre Rankin to give the War Eagles yet another momentary lead.
Moss Point's James would return the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Wayne County 14. The Tigers would then regain the lead by way of a 34-yard field goal from Loris. Moss Point would widen the deficit to eight points, the largest lead from either team, as James delivered a highlight reel run in which he broke three tackles on his way to the end zone from 37 yards out.
The fourth quarter belonged to the War Eagles as their defense forced a fumble that was recovered by Jerrell Gandy on Moss Point's 11. The fumble recovery would give Wayne all the momentum it needed as Dewayne Davis found pay dirt two plays later to bring Wayne within two points of the Tigers.
"Our defense has played well all season long," said Wayne coach Marcus Boyles. "They stepped it up at the end tonight."
The War Eagle defense stiffened again as it forced a bad punt from Moss Point and started their possession at the Tiger 27. Henderson would make arguably the best play of the game as he rushed for 17 yards on the quarterback keeper on fourth-and-15. Rankin would score his second touchdown on the night as he took it in from the 1 to put the War Eagles up for good.
"I can't say enough about our kids," said Boyles. "They took it to us all game but our kids never quit. Our team has shown some character."
