WEBB — The West Tallahatchie High School Choctaws defeated the Shaw Hawks 18-8 during homecoming here Friday night.
“It’s always good to get that homecoming win,” said West Tally head coach Lorenzo Pimpton.
The Chocs improved to 4-4 while the Hawks fell to 3-5.
“The offense did good, but the defense really played well,” Pimpton added. “The defense had the best game they have had in weeks.”
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It was anybody’s guess how the game would turn out after Shaw returned a short opening kickoff to the West Tally 20 and then scored on a run at 10:39 in the first quarter. The Hawks tacked on the two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead very early.
Late in the first act, West Tally was able to pin the Hawks deep in their own territory at the 10-yard line, forcing a punt attempt that resulted in a bad snap out of the back of the end zone to give West Tally a safety. Shaw led 8-2 at that point.
With about one minute to go in the opening stanza, the Choctaws drove the field before Jalen Madden scored on a 10-yard rushing touchdown. Dontrel Byrd passed to Atraviuantay Clark for the 2-point conversion, giving the home team a 10-8 lead that would hold through the half.
With about 7 minutes left in the third quarter, the Choctaws padded their cushion with another 10-yard touchdown run by Madden. Byrd carried for the conversion and an 18-8 lead that would hold the rest of the way.
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Statistically, Byrd was 1-of-2 for only 3 yards passing and tossed one interception. Clark had the lone reception.
Madden led Choctaw rushers with 13 carries for 94 yards. Ja’quarius McGee had eight totes for 31 yards and Jesdarius Williams ran three times for 13 yards.
Defensively, Williams tallied four individual tackles and two assists. Kevonte Thomas, Khylia Thomas, Charles Spurlock and McGee all had three solo tackles.
Kevonte Thomas recorded five quarterback sacks while Rodriquis Simmons had two.
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Next up, West Tally will travel to face the 3-4 McAdams High School Bulldogs in Attala County. McAdams is fresh from a 34-8 loss to West Bolivar.
“We’re going to have to play ball, because it’s their homecoming,” Pimpton said. “Our goal is to keep the guys focused and hungry.”
IN THE PHOTO: West Tally’s Jalen Madden (left) stares down a Shaw defender. Madden had 13 carries for 94 yards and scored two touchdowns Friday night. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
