West Lauderdale defenders stuff Vancleave’s C. J. Johnson for a loss on the play Friday night.

Neshoba Central (10-2, 5-2 Region 2-5A) capped its regular season with a 34-14 road win at Callaway (4-7, 1-6 Region 2-5A) Friday. The victory was Neshoba Central’s third straight, and it gave the Rockets their best regular-season record in 25 years.

As Region 2-5A’s No. 3 seed, the Rockets travel to Olive Branch this week for the first round of the 5A playoffs.

Neshoba Central rushed for 290 yards and five touchdowns in the regular-season finale. Cadarrius Roberts led the way with 100 yards rushing and one touchdown on 10 carries. Jarquez Hunter posted a team-high two rushing touchdowns to go with 92 yards rushing on 10 carries. Tyler Mathis added 84 yards rushing and one touchdown on a team-high 16 carries. Austin Day finished with one touchdown and five yards rushing on one carry.

Christian Spears paced the Neshoba Central defense with 10 tackles, Hunter added nine tackles and Jae’vien Gill chipped in with eight tackles.

Colin Hunt and Hunter each recorded one sack, Maxton Woodward tallied 1.5 sacks and Gill was credited with a half sack. 

Rockets coach Patrick Schoolar could not be reached for comment.

Up next: Neshoba Central travels to Olive Branch (10-1, 6-1 Region 1-5A) at 7 p.m. Friday for its 5A playoff opener. 

West Lauderdale 

Another stellar performance by the Knights’ defense paved the way for their 4A playoff opener victory. Four West Lauderdale (11-1) defenders finished with double-digit tackling efforts in the Knights’ 28-22 win against Vancleave (5-6).

Thomas Webster had nine solo tackles and 10 assists; Hays Perkins had four total tackles and nine assists; Austin Wilkinson tallied nine solo tackles and three assists, and Zach Walker finished with six total tackles and four assists.

Bradlee Ott, who led the Knights with 151 yards receiving and one touchdown, was credited with a forced fumble on defense. Cameron Spivey recorded a fumble recovery.

In 11 games this season, West Lauderdale has allowed 121 points (11 points per game). The Knights offense has scored 398 points, and the team is on an eight-game win streak.

Up next: A 5-7 Florence squad travels to Collinsville this week, where West Lauderdale is 6-0 in home games. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday. 

Russell Christian 

The Warriors won their second-consecutive Alabama Christian Education Association eight-man state championship with a 52-14 win against Tabernacle Christian School (6-4) Friday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The win, which capped a perfect season for the Warriors, was also Russell Christian’s (10-0) second this season against the Torches.

After entering the second quarter tied at 6, Russell Christian rattled off 26 points in the second period to lead Tabernacle Christian 32-6 at halftime. The Warrior offense and defense sustained that momentum in the second half.

Aaron Brinson earned the game’s most valuable player award after tallying 19 tackles and breaking up two passes. 

Union 

Two 100-yard rushers led Union (8-4) to a 38-14 victory over Baldwyn (3-8)  Friday in the first round of the MHSAA Class 2A playoffs.

Jaylon Buckley ran for 121 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries, while Colby Ferguson added another 103 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. Kenyon Clay rushed for two touchdowns and 60 yards on carries, and the Yellowjackets produced 327 yards rushing in the contest.

William Hughlett recorded an interception, and Nate Killen, Peyton Posey, Markus Jones and Raylon Nettles were credited with sacks.

Union’s defense held Baldwyn to just 96 yards of total offense, and the Yellowjacket offense exploded for 397 total yards. Union also won the time-of-possession battle 34:00 to 13:56.

Up next: Union hosts Calhoun City (8-4) at 7 p.m. Friday in the second round of the MHSAA Class 2A playoffs. 

Northeast Lauderdale 

The Trojan defense was responsible for five turnovers Friday in their MHSAA Class 4A playoff opening 28-12 win at St. Stanislaus (5-6).

Shaun Cosby and Chase Morris recovered fumbles, while Branderrick Thomas, Tyler Smith and De’Uante Mason pulled in interceptions. Mason also recorded two sacks.

Northeast Lauderdale (8-4) quarterback Kam Hulin was 9 of 20 for 120 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception. Hulin also had 14 carries for 63 yards. Michael McClinton rushed for two touchdowns and 99 yards on 28 carries. Jaquarius Barron had six receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown.

Up next: Northeast Lauderdale hosts Poplarville (10-1) at 7 p.m. Friday for its second-round matchup.