WEBB — The sinking feeling that this game was going to go much like 32 preceding it came when the home team fumbled away the football on the first offensive play.
The Charleston High School Tigers’ Alfernee Hankins recovered that loose ball at the West Tallahatchie High School Choctaws’ 27-yard line. Three plays later, CHS’ Keyshun Cashaw ran for the 9-yard TD — his first of three. The conversion failed, but the visiting Tigers led 6-0 with 10:54 in the first.
It was the first shoe to drop Friday night in what would be a 44-8 Charleston victory in this cross-county varsity football rivalry series dubbed the “Battle of the Golden Egg,” this time played on the opening night of the season.
CHS now has won the last 33 meetings between these two teams.
“It’s a good win,” said CHS head coach Scott Martin. “It was an all-around good effort by all of the team.”
Conversely, West Tally head coach Lorenzo Pimpton said the early turnover and quick score by the Tigers “threw us off a little bit,” adding, “We’ve got to iron out some wrinkles.”
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Charleston scored again with 4:55 in the first quarter when Cashaw broke a 25-yard touchdown run. Chris Bradford threw to Kristian Gammage for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 lead.
The Tigers increased their margin to 22-0 at 8:19 in the second period when Quinterrius Suggs carried for an 8-yard TD — one of two he would score. Bradford ran for the two-point play.
Charleston’s defense got in on the scoring action later when lineman Quintavious Davis intercepted a pass and returned the ball 40 yards for a pick-six. Bradford again completed a pass to Gammage for the two-pointer, giving the Tigers a 30-0 lead with 3:24 left in the second quarter.
The highlight and lone score of the night for the Choctaws came on the ensuing kickoff when Atraviuntay Clark broke loose for an 80-yard kick return. Jalen Madden carried for the conversion, cutting West Tally’s deficit to 30-8 with 2:55 remaining in the first half.
“That was a big play,” said Pimpton. “I thought momentum would shift then, going into the half.”
Instead, the Tigers would score once in the third quarter, on a 29-yard run by Suggs and a conversion run by Bradford at 6:54, and once in the fourth, on a 13-yard carry by Kashaw with 6:55 left. The conversion pass failed.
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Statistically, Bradford led the passing game by completing 6 of 12 for 96 yards. Gammage did not complete his lone attempt in the game.
For the Tigers, A.J. Wren had one reception for 41 yards, Gammage three for 35, Hankins one for 15 and Nathan Randolph one for 5
On the ground, nine Tigers carried the ball, led by Cashaw’s 10 totes for 117 yards. Suggs had two runs for 37 yards, Markevious Prince two for 34, Cam Chambers two for 24 and Anthony Harris one for 14.
Defensively, Charleston’s Enochius Harris racked up five tackles (four solos) while Jamar Taylor had four stops and recovered a fumble.
West Tally’s ground attack was anemic. It was led by Ja’quarius McGee, who had three carries for 9 yards.
Other Choctaw stats were unavailable as of Tuesday.
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This week, Charleston will travel to play at Yazoo County, 1-0 after a 20-16 win at Kosciusko.
“They’re always big and strong and real athletic,” said Martin. “They have some weapons on offense and their linebackers are real big.”
West Tallahatchie will play host to the Coahoma County Red Panthers, who are 0-1 after a 30-0 loss to West Bolivar last week.
“We’re going to try to do our best, to prepare for them and to get on a winning note,” said Pimpton.
Friday night’s game in Webb, which kicks off at 7, will be observed as the annual Raphael S. Davis Memorial Classic, in honor of the former West Tally player who died while serving his country during U.S. military operations in Iraq in 2003.
Members of the Mississippi National Guard will be on hand for special ceremonies, and the family of the late Mr. Davis will be recognized at halftime.
