FOREST — For most of the game, the Charleston High School Tigers held a lead on the defending Class 2A state champion Scott Central Rebels, but the home team scored late and held on for a razor-thin 13-12 victory.
Charleston fell to 3-2 while Scott Central improved to 4-1.
“They played hard, we played hard, and it could have gone either way,” said CHS head coach Scott Martin.
The coach noted that his team played “good at times” but still had too many blunders. “We’ve got to minimize mistakes,” he added.
Other than the defense, which he said played well, Martin said his players’ effort “came in spurts,” insisting, “We have to have an overall team effort for four quarters.”
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After forcing the Rebels to punt on their opening possession, the Tigers began their first drive at their own 22.
On Charleston’s first offensive play of the game, quarterback Kristian Gammage completed a pass to A.J. Wren, who turned the reception into a 77-yard touchdown. The conversion pass attempt failed, but the Tigers led 6-0.
The visitors’ second possession did not go as well, ending in a punt attempt that was blocked by Scott Central. With his own version of a lightning-quick score, the Rebels’ Treyon Wash ran for a 21-yard touchdown on the first play deep in Tiger territory. Austin Doughty missed the PAT, and the score was tied 6 all at 5:04 in the first period.
In the second quarter, on a CHS drive that began at their own 36, Markevious Prince scored on a 3-yard carry. The conversion run was stopped short. The Tigers led 12-6 with 8:29 in the first half.
The Rebels stopped a fake punt attempt with about 5 minutes in the half and drove methodically to inside the CHS red zone. The Tiger defense made a stand when a fourth-and-goal play inside the Charleston 2 was rejected.
The Tigers drove from their own 46 down to the Scott Central 26 early in the third quarter before turning the ball over on downs there.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Rebels followed up a Tigers punt with a drive starting at their own 42-yard line. Elijah Robinson carried the last 5 yards for a touchdown, and this time Doughty rang true on the PAT kick, putting Scott Central up 13-12 with 8:57 left in the game.
Charleston tried to make something happen on their next drive, which began at their own 35, but a Chris Bradford to Gammage pass completion went for naught when a Rebels defender jarred the football loose and Scott Central recovered at midfield.
The Rebels eventually punted, but they pinned the Tigers at their own 10-yard line. An ensuing Charleston punt gave the home team possession at the visitors’ 36. Scott Central was inside the 5 when time expired.
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Gammage completed one of two passes for 77 yards. Bradford connected on one of five for 2 yards. Wren caught the long ball and Gammage pulled in the 2-yard reception.
Prince was the workhorse, carrying 20 times for 73 yards. Keyshun Cashaw had six totes for 48 yards and Gammage five for 24.
No defensive stats were available late Tuesday.
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This week, Charleston will host the 3-1 Corinth Warriors during homecoming at Tiger Stadium. Corinth is fresh from a 39-0 victory at Kossuth.
The Warriors’ only loss so far has been a 38-35 decision to Class 6A Tupelo High.
Corinth, a member of Region 1-4A, made it to the third round of the state playoffs last year, losing a 40-38 contest to Greenwood and finishing the season 11-3.
“They’ve got a pretty good football team,” said Martin. “They have a lot of guys returning from last year’s team.”
The coach said three players — Tyler Tellis, Alfernee Hankins and Ronquavious Greer — who sat out last week’s game with injuries are doubtful for this week, too.
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A homecoming parade through the streets of Charleston is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Friday.
Homecoming festivities at CHS will get underway at 6. Game kickoff is set for 7.
IN THE PHOTO: Charleston defender A.J. Wren (No. 10) takes down a Scott Central runner while lying on the ground. Despite a stout defensive effort, CHS lost 13-12. (Photo by Kelly Paris)
