On a cold and windy Friday night, Leflore County gave a valiant effort at Marcellus Singleton Stadium, but ultimately fell 33-0 to Choctaw County in the second round of the North 2A playoffs.
“I’m just so proud of these guys, we finished the year 8-3 (overall) and that’s a heck of a record,” Leflore head coach Eric House said. “All you can do is ask your players to come out and give it their all, and tonight I feel like they did. The other team was just a little bigger and stronger, and that played a big part in tonight’s outcome.”
Choctaw came into Friday night’s playoff match fresh off a 61-14 win over Belmont High School. The Chargers captured the dominant win off an explosive rushing attack led by their running back Antonio Kennedy, and in its game with Leflore, the Chargers attacked the Tigers in the same manner.
With two potent offenses in Leflore and Choctaw County, you would think both teams would start the game by trading offensive scores, but the first quarter was dominated by each team’s defense, only allowing two first-down conversions in the first quarter — both were by the Chargers.
Choctaw’s first score came off a nine-play, 77-yard drive early in the second quarter. Leflore battled the whole drive, but a third-down pass interference call on Leflore gave the Chargers 15 yards and a free first down.
On the Chargers’ 41-yard line, Leflore was able to force a fourth-and-one situation, but the Choctaw’s broke off a long run to the Tigers’ 18-yard line. On the next play the Chargers used some misdirection in its handoff, and punched the ball into the end zone for six. Leflore was able to block the PAT, keeping the game to 6-0.
Unable to consistently get first downs, Leflore’s offense began to stall, and the Chargers capitalized on the good field positions after punts, scoring a rushing touchdown with 1:42 remaining in the second quarter.
Leflore had a chance to score a touchdown right before halftime, but Tiger quarterback Kyle Moore’s pass to Dante Kelly fell short in the end zone and was picked off.
The Chargers took a 12-0 lead to the half and was held scoreless by Leflore in the third, but the Tigers’ themselves continued to struggle offensively. Choctaw smelled blood in the water and ramped up its production by tacking on three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) with one 2-point conversion and a PAT.
Moore finished the night 4-of-10 for 95 yards and an interception. Tavion Dean was the leading receiver with 70 yards on three catches.
Senior Dante Kelly led the defense with 10 total tackles. Taahir Banks had eight total stops, and Steven Williams had seven.
The Chargers move on to face Charleston High School in the third round next week.
-Contact Jared Conerly at 662-581-7237 or jconerly@gwcommonwealth.com.
