McADAMS — The West Tallahatchie High School Choctaws made an impressive showing, defeating the McAdams Bulldogs 36-6 here Friday night.
West Tally rose to 5-4 — and a stout 4-1 in Region 3-1A games, in which they have outscored opponents 148-50.
“The guys are pretty excited and playing at a different level,” said Choctaws coach Lorenzo Pimpton. “I hope they keep the intensity and focus as we move on.”
In silencing the bark of the Bulldogs, who fell to 3-5 overall, Pimpton said his “offense played good, but the defense played great.”
The coach said it was his team’s best defensive outing of the season to date.
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Sophomore running back Jalen Madden broke the ice on scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The conversion failed.
In the second period, freshman athlete Jesdarius Williams reached the end zone on a 7-yard run, and the Chocs added the two-point conversion for a 14-0 lead that stood at the half.
In the third quarter, Williams continued adding points with a 1-yard rushing touchdown with about 8 minutes remaining. The con-version pass was no good.
Early in the fourth quarter, senior defensive tackle Markeevion Hawkins joined the points parade with a 50-yard pick-6. Junior Kevonte Thomas carried for the conversion and a 28-0 lead.
With about 7 minutes remaining, sophomore quarterback Dontrel Byrd lofted a pass to junior Charles Spurlock, who stretched the play into a 35-yard TD. Thomas ran for the two points.
The home team finally hit paydirt on what would be the last play of their final possession of the night, narrowly avoiding the shutout on their homecoming night.
Game and player stats were unavailable as of early Wednesday morning.
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This Friday, on what is forecast to be a very rainy and cool night, the Choctaws will host the region-leading 7-2 West Bolivar Eagles (5-1 in Region 3-1A) at Choctaw Stadium in Webb.
West Bolivar is fresh off a 36-0 win at Ethel, where the Choctaws also won, 52-0, on Sept. 20.
The Eagles are the fifth-ranked team in Class 1A, according to one statewide poll released this week.
“They look good,” Pimpton said of the Eagles. “They can throw the ball and they can run it. They have a balanced attack. All we can do is try to stop them.”
Despite the ominous weather forecast, Pimpton said West Tally needs the community and their fans “to show up Friday night and support the kids.”
Kickoff is at 7.
IN THE PHOTO: The Choctaws' Ja'quarius McGee (No. 1) speaks with West Tallahatchie teammates on the field during a recent game. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
