Knights take round one win

By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
November 8, 2003
COLLINSVILLE Michael Pogue did it all for West Lauderdale on Friday.
The sophomore accounted for three touchdowns as the Knights' quarterback and intercepted a pass on defense as West Lauderdale downed Purvis 32-14 in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
It was Pogue's second touchdown, a 62-yard run, that put the game away for West Lauderdale, now 9-2 on the year. Leading 19-7 in the third quarter, West Lauderdale defensive back Justin Landrum dove to his right to pick off a pass.
The turnover set up Pogue's scoring run with about two and a half minutes left in the third quarter.
The entire second half was dominated by the Knights. Early in the third period, Purvis ran a fake punt on fourth-and-five, but was stopped short. On West Lauderdale's next possession, Pogue ran for his first touchdown of the night on an 11-yard option keeper, giving the Knights a 19-7 lead.
Purvis led 7-6 for much of the second quarter, but a 41-yard touchdown pass to Josh Hanible as time expired put the Knights on top 13-7 at halftime.
The Knights scored 20 points in the third quarter more than they have scored in any quarter all season.
Meanwhile, the West Lauderdale defense held Purvis in check for most of the game. The Tornadoes' first touchdown came in the second quarter on a 3-yard run, which was set up by a Hunter Dunaway interception. It gave the Tornadoes a brief 7-6 lead that held until West Lauderdale's touchdown at the end of the half.
The only other score Purvis mustered was an inconsequential touchdown pass with four seconds left in the game.
The Knights travel to play Collins in their second-round game. The two-time defending Class 3A state champions edged North Pike 18-12 in overtime.
Purvis, which had won three straight entering Friday's game, finished 5-6.