Make no mistake about it. High school football in South Mississippi has the power to normalize even the most hectic of times.
What seemed improbable months ago — the start of high school football amid COVID-19 — happened Friday night across Mississippi.
A stagnant second quarter of offense didn't define the West Jones' 2020 season opener's ending. The Mustangs defeated Raleigh 35-6 at Mustangs Stadium, despite only being up 14-6 after two quarters.
“Raleigh made the game ugly,” said West Jones head coach Scott Pierson. “And I don’t think we responded very well [in the second quarter]. Raleigh milked the clock and took the energy away from us. We got sloppy because of it.
"Raleigh did some things that we had seen before that gave us trouble. They did a great job of getting us out of what we wanted to do, which was to play fast and avoid sloppy play."
Raleigh's solo score of the contest came on the last play of the first half. Junior quarterback Jay Jones found sophomore Suntarine "Get" Perkins in the back of the end zone on a 40-yard pass play as the buzzer rang loud. The touchdown and missed PAT pulled Raleigh within eight points of West Jones 14-6 at the break. It was also the only score of the second quarter after senior Alan Follis' two touchdown passes in the first quarter.
Follis finished with four touchdown passes to three different receivers. Senior Tajrick Randolph caught two, as Zyquawn Williams and Matthew Nixon hauled in the rest.
"The best is yet to come," said Pierson when asked about Follis' performance. "I thought tonight he played okay from the quarterback I've seen in practice. So I believe the best is yet to come for him."
The defense bailed West Jones out in the second quarter, and some in the third, as Raleigh tossed itself into West Jones territory on multiple occasions.
“I thought our defense played well all night, except against the pass,” said Pierson. “But let’s be honest, it’s all ugly in the first game of the year. But at the same time, we’ve got kids on the field that are playing with little experience.”
Raleigh entered West Jones territory twice in the second quarter, and three times in the third on seven possessions, only to be allowed a score once.
Turning Point:
After 17 clock minutes of football — a span that lasted the entire second quarter and over half of the third — Follis hit Randolph from 50 yards out to push West Jones in front by three scores, 21-6. It sparked the offense into scoring twice more to close out the contest.
Stats:
West Jones’ only rushing touchdown was a 12-yard run by Kentrel Pruitt late in the third quarter. Pruitt rushed for 45 yards on 10 carries.
Follis passed for 253 yards on 13 completions. His four touchdown pass was countered by a solo interception.
West Jones finished with 347 yards of total offense, while Raleigh was held to 164 yards.
Nixon led all receivers with 90 yards on three receptions and one touchdown.
What’s Next:
West Jones (1-0) travels to Wayne County (0-1) next Thursday night. Raleigh (0-1) faces Bay Springs (1-0) at home next Friday night.
Kickoffs are at 7 p.m.
