Calhoun City won a nail-biter at Eupora. Bruce and Vardaman both dropped lopsided decisions and the Cougars recorded a win in Friday night's action around the county.
The Wildcats defeated the Eagles in Eupora 13-7 to clinch at worst a tie for first in region 2-2a heading into next week's season finale at home against Winona.
The win in Eupora was more difficult than most predicted. The Eagles took an early 7-0 lead after the Wildcats mishandled the opening kickoff. Eupora drove 36 yards in seven plays for the touchdown.
That lead held up until midway through the second quarter when consecutive 26 and 15 yard runs by Jo Gray along with a Eupora penalty put the Wildcats at the Eagle 10 yard line. Brieton Sykes scored a rushing touchdown on the next play to tie the game at seven.
Sykes would set up the go-ahead score in the final five minutes of the game when he returned a Eupora punt to the Eagle 33 yard line. On first down, Gray threw to Jyair Pierce for the 33 yard touchdown. The extra point missed for a 13-7 advantage.
A Wildcat fumble gave Eupora one last shot in Calhoun City territory, but the 'City defense held for the difficult win.
There wasn't as much nervousness for Bruce or Vardaman in their matchups.
The Trojans lost 45-6 at East Webster. Chase Keller led the Wolverines with more than 150 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Bruce's lone score came in the second quarter when they trailed 14-0. They marched the length of the field thanks to a couple of big plays – Quin Davis ran for a first down on fourth and five and Wesley Ross hit Rynez Holland with a deep pass down the sideline. Cade Spratlin scored the touchdown on a bootleg to the right that fooled the East Webster defense.
Bruce will conclude its season next week at home against Okolona.
Smithville scored touchdowns in just about every way imaginable during a 59-0 rout of Vardaman. The Seminoles forced four turnovers and scored three defensive touchdowns. And that was only the first quarter.
“We got whipped, plain and simple,” Vardaman head coach Larry Gann said.
The Rams are off next week and then finish the season Nov. 6 at Hamilton.
Calhoun Academy rolled up a big win at Strider in Charleston Friday night. The Cougars improved to 3-5 on the season with a 46-12 win. They will finish their season next week at home against Calvary Christian.