Wayne County War Eagles pound Pascagoula
By By Dale McKee/Sports Writer
November 16, 2002
WAYNESBORO The Wayne County War Eagles took their first step toward a possible 5A state football championship here Friday night with an impressive 46-7 win over Pascagoula.
The War Eagles (11-1) scored on their first five offensive possessions and kept the pressure on the fourth seeded Panthers (4-8) from Region 8. In other
action in south state 5A play Brandon upset Moss Point (16-7), Oak Grove won over Harrison Central (24-21), and Gulfport upended Hattiesburg (35-21). In games this Friday night Gulfport will travel to Wayne County while Oak Grove treks to Brandon.
Wayne County started out fast on the rain soaked field by taking the opening kickoff and marching 66 yards in four plays. Akeem Lofton threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Charles McCall for the score.
Sims had a 20-yard run to highlight the drive.
After forcing a Panther punt, the War Eagles marched 73 yards in six plays with Lofton running the final eight yards. McLaughlin had a 21-yard run, Sims ran 12 yards, and Lofton ran for 18 yards in the drive.
Pascagoula had a short punt of 15 yards, and WC was set up at the Panther 22 yard line. Two plays later, McLaughlin scooted 22 yards for another War Eagle TD.
Wayne County extended their lead to 25-0 with 10:02 to play in the half when Lofton ran 21 yards to climax a 14-yard drive that took two plays. The War Eagles were penalized four straight times, but finally Lofton took things into his own hands.
Pascagoula ran the kickoff back to the War Eagles' 37 and then marched for their only score of the night. Nine plays later, Vito Shepard ran eight yards for the Panther score.
Wayne County came right back and marched 54 yards in five plays to score on Sims' 12-yard rumble. Colby Hendry's extra point made it 32-7 at intermission.
Boyles and his staff talked all week to the War Eagles about last year's first round playoff loss to Biloxi.
The War Eagles came out in the second half and recovered a fumble on the first snap of the second half.
Seven plays later Sims ran two yards for a score.
Alex Poole scored the final War Eagle touchdown with a 38-yard pass interception return for a score early in the final period. Holder Scoot Saul ran the two-point conversion after fumbling the snap, giving WC a 46-7 lead.
McLaughlin led the WC rushers with 101 yards on 11 carries while Sims followed with 77 yards on nine tries. Lofton and. J.J. Taylor each had 69 yards on the night. As a team, WC rushed for 355 yards on 39 rushes. Pascagoula was led by Sheppard with 93 yards; the Panthers rushed for 85 yards on the night.
