Some may have counted out Jefferson Davis County after a pair of two-game losing streaks in the regular season, but at no point has Seminary coach Brian Rials felt comfortable doing that. After his Bulldogs edged the Jaguars in October, Rials had a feeling there would be a rematch deep in the postseason.
Jefferson Davis County is in fact the defending Class 3A State Champion.
“When they [JDC] finished third [in Region 8-3A], I told the coaches ‘Don’t count those jokers out’, because [Lance] Mancuso and his staff do a great job and those kids know how to win over there,” Rials said. “They’ve been here before and are still the defending state champs.”
Thanksgiving is a day away, and the Jaguars are still alive. So too are Rials’ Bulldogs, who carry a 10-game winning streak into their first South State appearance since 2011. Unsurprisingly to Rials, it will come against Jefferson Davis County (10-4) on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm at Seminary.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity,” Rials said. “We know they’re going to come in here ready, and we’re gonna be ready, too.”
Seminary (11-3) started the season 1-3, but they haven’t lost since the middle of September. In that time, they’ve won thrillers over playoff teams like Jefferson Davis County, Tylertown and Columbia.
“We knew we had a chance to be decent,” Rials said. “We took some tough losses early against some really good teams, a couple of them [Poplarville and Taylorsville] are still playing. People kinda doubted us a little bit, but we got gelling and some different guys got moved around and are now understanding the game a little better now.”
Most recently, Seminary knocked off Winona, who carried a 13-0 record into their third round playoff matchup with the Bulldogs last Friday. Sophomore Marquis Crosby totaled 467 rushing yards and four touchdowns in helping Seminary advance with a 46-41 win.
“We didn’t know we could do this, you never know,” added Rials. “But we’re proud of them, and I’m proud of them, because it’s a team effort. Marquis had that kind of game, but it took everybody Friday night to get the win [against Winona].”
Rials knows more of the same will be needed in order for Seminary to extend their streak to 11 games in their much-anticipated rematch with Jefferson Davis County.
“We gotta just keep doing what we do,” Rials said. “We’re not gonna make a lot of changes, and I don’t expect them to make a lot of changes. It’s just gonna be a battle of who can make one more play Friday night.
“It’ll need to be a team effort, and hopefully we got a chance to go to Hattiesburg next week.”
The winner will advance to face either North Panola or Water Valley in the Class 3A State Championship next week at Southern Miss’ M.M. Roberts Stadium.
