Meridian High came one step closer in its quest for a second straight state championship Friday night as the Wildcats pulled out a tough victory against visiting George County 35-24 in the first round of the MHSAA 6A state playoffs at Ray Stadium.

It was all George County (7-5) in the first quarter as the Rebels put together a 15-play, 59-yard drive that was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Adrian Bradley.

George County would strike again less than two minutes later as an errant snap on a Wildcat punt was recovered in the end zone for a Rebel touchdown.

“I thought we got whipped most of the night,” said Meridian coach Larry Weems. “We let them hold on to the ball.”

Meridian (11-1) would answer back as they drove 80 yards, capped when running back Kenya Roberts ran 11 yards to bring the Wildcats within a touchdown at 14-7.

George County would add another score late in the second quarter as Bradley again found the end zone, this time from 1 yard out to stretch its lead to 21-7 with 1:27 left in the half.

The Wildcats stormed right back as they went 80 yards on five plays that ended with Roberts’ second rushing score of the game with 18 seconds left to go until halftime to pull the Wildcats within 21-14. Roberts rushed 12 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns on the night.

Meridian picked up where they left off to start the second half. The Wildcats drove 80 yards for the third time in the contest as Antoinne Adkins hooked up with Jamie Clayton on a 36-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 21.

The game remained knotted until George County kicker Forrest Proctor connected on a 20-yard field goal to put the Rebels up 24-21 with 4:10 remaining in the contest.

The turning point of the Wildcats’ season would come on the ensuing drive as Meridian faced a fourth-and-7 from its own 41 with 2:37 left.

With the fate of Meridian’s season in his hands, Adkins found Jordan Lenton across the middle and Lenton scampered 59 yards to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 28-24.

“Antoinne had a basic two route read,” said Weems of the fourth-down play. “We were looking for the first down, but I’ll take a touchdown.”

George County coach Al Jones added: “I’m proud of my kids. The game just came down to a key fourth-down play.”

Feeding off the momentum the Meridian defense stood strong and denied the Rebels four straight times and Meridian took over on downs in Rebel territory.

Adkins would again come through, adding an insurance score as he ran for a 30-yard touchdown with 16 seconds left. Adkins passed for 272 yards with two touchdowns and added another rushing touchdown on the night.

“I’ve gotta do a better job coaching these kids if we want to move on in the playoffs,” added Weems.

Meridian travels to Oak Grove next week in the second round after the Warriors downed Harrison Central 56-36 on Friday.