We have heard it for weeks that Sylva-Bay has not quit. Well, tonight they all but proved their case. The Saints almost upset a MAIS powerhouse North Delta Academy in a 49-38 loss.
Head coach Terry Underwood vocalized his respect for the Green Wave, "North Delta is a good football team. All the teams we have played are good, but on offense, they have as good of an offense as we may play all year. To battle them for four quarters, be down by two touchdowns. We took the lead in the second half and gave ourselves a chance to win. It was huge for our team."
The Saints were down a few soldiers, but some younger guys stepped up in key moments as eighth-grader Malachi Page scored two touchdowns.
Senior Eli Blackwell had a strong run for a four-yard score to tie the game in the third quarter and set up another score with a 50-yard run. Underwood commented on his senior leader, "Eli Blackwell is a constant factor for us. He played the way I expect him to play running the ball, and especially at linebacker. He made some really big tackles."
After Blackwell's tying touchdown, the Saints went on a turnover jihad. Junior Javion Jones made a college-level break on a ball and picked it off with a 35-yard return into Green Way territory. Jones had two interceptions in the game and many key tackles.
The Saints were forced to punt with 4:41 left in the third quarter. North Delta muffed the punt, and sophomore Christopher Moss jumped on the ball which allowed his team another chance to take the lead. "Christopher Moss, a young sophomore, was thrown into the fire a lot this year on both sides of the ball. He played his best game so far. He will only get better," noted Underwood.
The very next play sophomore Paxton Brewer hit Jones on a 30-yard strike that set up a 20-yard field goal by junior kicker, Raymond Morales. Morales is maturing into something special for the Saints.
"Raymond Morales had an outstanding game tonight. Made all his extra points, hit a field goal from a weird angle, and did it in a critical moment that gave us the lead late in the game," said Underwood. But Morales does more than split the uprights. "He kicked an amazing onside kick that allowed us to recover, and spot kicked it perfect. If everyone knew how much time he put in, he plays with a lot of intensity and emotion as a kicker," boasted Underwood about his kicker.
On another positive note, the Saints may have found a deep threat that will have opposing defensive coordinators sweating. Brewer was dropping dimes to Jones as if they played together for years. They connected on multiple long passes, and one of those was a 50-yard touchdown. "Paxton Brewer has played well running and throwing. He's getting the ball out quicker and was accurate with the long ball tonight."
Underwood commented on his new transfer, "Javion Jones was huge. He is an ultra-talented player. He made big-time interceptions and amazing receptions. He played running back and returned kicks. He will be fun to watch going forward."
Jones scored the first touchdown of the game from the running back position.
Sylva-Bay has picked up two Jones' from Heidelberg, one of the few schools that opted out of playing fall sports. "We have Javion and Omarion Jones that came from a school that shut down football. I don't think people understand the adjustment they have to go through. We are tickled to have them. They fit in well. I'm proud of them. Those kids have not played football in a year, and they went four quarters tonight on both sides of the ball. Our kids love them to death, and we are fortunate to have them. They will help us achieve some goals we are wanting down the stretch," said Underwood about his new additions to the team.
As well as the Saints fought North Delta, they are still fighting the "Goose Egg" in the win column. Underwood will not give in to negativity. He said, "We're 0-6 right now. None of us want to be there, but we all know our season starts brand new next week. We start district play next week. If we win these next three games, we win the district championship for three years in a row. We are trending in the right direction and at a good time. Our kids haven't quit if anyone wants to question that. That comes from within, not just from coaches. I'm excited about what they can accomplish."
The Saints face a tough district opponent next. "I have great respect for Coach Bill Hurst and that rich tradition at Centreville. We have had some great games starting in that South State Championship that went to triple overtime. They are going to be a good football team. They will block, tackle, and very physical," Underwood admired. Centreville is rich in tradition, and Hurst still holds the most wins of any coach in Mississippi history.
