from staff reports
After giving up a game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion with just over 2 minutes to play, Scott Central earned a hard-fought victory over North Forrest in the second round of the MHSAA Class 2A playoffs.
Chris Ficklin scored his fourth touchdown of the night on the Rebels' first play in the second overtime to cap the 46-40 victory.
The SC defense had already held the Eagles to a 23-yard field goal attempt, which missed wide.
Ficklin's TDs came on runs of 13, 1, 4 and 10 yards. The final two came in the first and second overtime periods, respectively. He totaled 194 yards on 19 carries.
Jimmie Broomfield struck twice for the Rebs on 36- and 35-yard runs. His 25-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter following a North Forrest touchdown put the ball at midfield. With SC only leading by a point, Deontae Brown galloped 50 yards for the touchdown on the next play.
Broomfield compiled 223 all-purpose yards on the night (107 rushing, 116 return). He also blocked two extra point attempts.
Brown made a triple-100-yard night for the Rebels with an even 100 on seven carries.
With 2:12 to play in regulation and trailing by eight, North Forrest connected on a 36-yard scoring strike and ran in the two-point conversion to knot the score at 34-34.
The Eagles, who had the ball first in both extra frames, scored on a QB sneak from the 1 on fourth-and-goal, but missed the PAT.
Scott Central had a chance to win it after Ficklin's 4-yard romp, but Johnny McGee's kick was off the mark, forcing a second OT.
Next week, the 8-3 Rebels will host Region 8-2A champ Bassfield, which defeated Philadelphia 18-7 Friday night.
— Chris Brennaman
Other games ...
Newton County was the only other team to advance in the MHSAA state football playoffs, as the Cougars went on the road to knock off Collins 33-14.
NCHS, which improved to 11-1 on the year, will take on Tylertown in Decatur in the South State semifinals next week.
In Class 4A playoff action, Quitman saw a memorable season come to an end when the Panthers lost 41-14 at undefeated D'Iberville. Coach John Douglass' Panthers wound up 10-2 on the season, while D'Iberville (12-0) moved on to face Northeast Jones next week.
In Class 2A action, Philadelphia fell 18-7 to Bassfield to see its season come to an end. No other details on any of these area teams was available at press time.
In the MPSA Class AAA state championship tilts — Jackson Prep won the Division I crown for a third straight year by thumping MRA 35-14.
In Division II, Washington School — which eliminated Lamar last week — won the championship with a 26-7 win over Magnolia Heights. Kevin Buford ran for a pair of touchdowns to lead the Generals.
— Rocky Higginbotham
