Much like Floyd Mayweather danced around Manny Pacquiao, Quitman kept its distance from West Jones defensive end Byron Young and ran the opposite way.
“We came in and prepared all week for where number 47 was going to be on the field,” said Quitman head coach Steve Bynum. “We checked him on the line and ran away from him a good bit.”
And it worked.
Quitman (2-1) racked up 279 rushing yards and stunned West Jones (1-2) Friday night in Soso, 31-9.
“We’re extremely proud of our guys,” said Bynum following the win. “We talked all week about having opportunities and how they could disappear in an instant.
“The big thing for me tonight was as I told the team [before the game], the plays are going to be there, but we’ve got to have guys to step up, stand out and be playmakers. And obviously, we had several guys who did that.”
Offensive Production
Quitman foreshadowed the night ahead on its first play from scrimmage. Sophomore running back Brandon Hick dashed up the middle almost untouched for an 80-yard touchdown run to give the Panthers an early 7-0 lead.
“We had guys make big plays when we called their number,” said Bynum. “We were able to do somethings early. That helped us ride the bear till the end. I’m just extremely proud of our guys once again.”
Hicks answered the call numerous times, including a 72-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. His score extended Quitman’s lead, 25-7, after a successful PAT by Tyler Hines.
The sophomore gashed the opposing defense with 214 yards on seven carries.
Quarterback Jed Lewis played his part as well, going 3-of-4 for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
Quitman had 11 first downs in the contest and a total of 353 yards of offense.
West Jones turnovers
Turnovers killed the momentum for West Jones, especially in the first half.
Junior quarterback Hunter Parish committed two early on, his first on an interception and his second on a fumble. Both came in the first quarter.
“Anytime you turn the ball over like that, you’re not going to win,” said West Jones head coach Scott Pierson. “The bottom line is until we start protecting the ball, we’re going to struggle.”
Quitman made West Jones pay for both, turning Mustang mishaps into Panther points.
Lewis followed each turnover with a TD pass, his first to Levi Myrick for 30 yards and his second to Kingston Jordan from 46 yards out.
Parish tossed another pick in the final stanza. It was returned 71 yards for a touchdown by Quitman junior defensive back Javante Charles.
“We’re just not a very good football team right now,” added Pierson. “And that is the bottom line. I have to do a better job, and our staff has to do a better job of getting our kids ready to play.”
The Mustangs committed four turnovers in the contest.
Where they go from here?
West Jones plays host to Bay Springs (2-1) next Friday night in Soso.
Quitman returns home to face Greene County (3-0) in Week 4.
Kickoffs are scheduled for 7 p.m.
