Timely stops key Kemper County’s District win

Things started off slow for the Kemper County High School Wildcats in their 32-21 win over the Lake Hornets on Friday night, but in the end the KCHS defense closed out the game for the winners.

“We didn't always stop them, but we got stops at the right time,” said Wildcat Coach Ray Westerfield. The Wildcat defense forces three turnovers in the second half. “Thats huge for our defense,” said Westerfield, “ For them to step up at this time in our first district ball game, that's huge for their confidence and huge for us as a coaching staff”.

While the Wildcats did give up over 300 rushing yards, the Wildcats did not give up a single passing yard as the hornets were 0-7 passing, including two interceptions. “We knew lake was gonna come down hill on us playing smash mouth football If we get a team like Lake to throw it, that means we are doing something right in the run game”, said Westerfield. After a big win opening district play, The Wildcats will travel to Macon tomorrow to face Noxubee County.

After being forced to punt from their own 28 yard line, the Wildcats gave up a blocked punt, recovered by the Hornets for a touchdown, to make the game 7-0. A few drives later Kemper County’s Aaron Steele ran it in from two yards, however a missed PAT made the score 7-6. After a few empty drives for both teams, Aaron Steele threw to Rickey Little as Little ran through the defense like a freight train, breaking many tackles on his way to the end zone for a 50 yard touchdown. The two-point conversion made the score 14-7.

The run game for Lake was strong all game as on the very next drive, LHS quarterback Brady Mcgee broke off for a 49 yard run setting up for a 10 yard touchdown by Cornelius Mayers. The PAT then was wide right ending the half with a score of 14-13.

Lake then came out of halftime controlling the ball with the run game for a seven minute possession. On the last play of the possession McGee threw the ball deep but was intercepted by Jamar Grace. The rest of the third quarter was scoreless for both teams but after a minute of play in the fourth, Steele threw to Grace for a 44 yard touchdown to make the score 20-13, with a failed conversion.

On the next drive, the Wildcats forced a crucial fourth down for the Hornets, however Hornet running back Mayers broke free for a 45 yard touchdown. The conversion gave the Hornets a one point lead over the Wildcats. This was the final touchdown the Wildcats allowed as they ran off with the win afterwards.

On the next drive Mayers ran the ball for nearly 20 yards but lost the football, which was recovered by the Wildcats. Following a 39-yard run by Dicenzo Miller Jr., Steele ran the ball in for a four-yard touchdown. On the next drive the Hornets’ quarterback McGee broke off for a run that went 72 yards but Steele once again made a big play, this time on the defense as he chased McGee down, tackling him at the five yard line.

On the next play Nicholas Murray recovered a fumble inside the five yard line. The next play resulted in a holding, pushing the Wildcats back to their own 2-yard line. Steele then broke off for a 62 yard run, giving his offense even better field position. He then threw the ball to Jamar Grace once again who waltzed in for a 30 yard touchdown. If the touchdown didn’t seal the deal for the Wildcats, Kessler Thompson’s interception on the next play from scrimmage did.