War Eagles, Mustangs ready for 4A re-match

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Nov. 28, 2003
Few teams have had the success Wayne County and West Jones have enjoyed on the gridiron over the last two seasons.
In fact, the only loss either has suffered this fall was when the two met on Oct. 24 at Waynesboro. West Jones won that contest 23-15 and will be looking for an encore performance when the Division 5-4A champion Mustangs pay a return visit to Waynesboro tonight for the Class 4A South State championship. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
"They're so athletic," West Jones head coach Scott Pierson said of the 12-1 War Eagles. "They're 26-2 over the last two years and were the 5A champions last year.
"They're a good football team and they're well-coached. Any time you have to play a team twice it's not an advantage.
"They've played in a game of this caliber and this magnitude before. We haven't."
For the record, Pierson's Mustangs are 24-1 over the last two seasons.
"We're excited about the game, but it takes a lot out of you," Pierson said. "We have had a good week of practice."
Wayne County has been in a rematch situation before.
"It happened with us last year with Oak Grove," War Eagles head coach Marcus Boyles said. Wayne County beat the Warriors both times.
Heavy rains Wednesday night and Thursday morning shouldn't hamper playing conditions, Boyles said. "Our field drains really well."
Slowing down the Mustangs may be a problem, however.
"They're a real good team," Boyles said. "We've got to play a lot better this time to have a chance."
Leading the Mustangs on offense are tailback Justin Young with 17 rushing touchdowns and one touchdown reception, quarterback Brett Hyatt with 24 touchdown passes, and receiver/kicker Britt Barefoot with 13 touchdown receptions.
Hyatt has also rushed for five touchdowns. Barefoot has kicked 51 extra points and nine field goals to lead the Mustangs in scoring with 156 points. Bruce Ducksworth has returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns.
Wayne County's top weapons on offense are Jerrod Sims (5-8, 165, Sr.), with 15 rushing touchdowns and four more through the air, Michael McLaughlin (6-1, 215, Sr.) with 11 touchdowns, quarterback/receiver J.J. Taylor (5-8, 150, Sr.) with five rushing touchdowns and three more through the air, and freshman quarterback Drexler Johnson (6-0, 165) with four touchdowns.
Johnson has thrown for 10 touchdowns since taking over the quarterbacking chores after the first game with West Jones. Taylor threw for five touchdowns through nine games.
Breck Mills has kicked 53 extra points and three field goals.
Putting Johnson behind center helped in several ways, Boyles said.
"It enables us to get J.J. (Taylor) at his natural position at wide receiver and Johnson does throw the ball well," Boyles said.
Leading the War Eagles' defense are linebacker Steve Gandy (6-2, 195, Sr.), cornerback Mario Odom (5-9, 150, Sr.), and lineman Deshawn Smith (6-1, 190, Sr.).
Top defensive players for West Jones are linebackers Archie Sims and Derrick Howard.
Boyles expects a crowd of around 10,000 to venture to the battle.
"We sold 9,500 tickets the last time," Boyles said. "That was the biggest high school crowd I've seen in a regular season game.
"This is what you work hard for all year."
"It just comes down to executing on Friday night under that atmosphere," Pierson said. "When you're playing for that trip to Jackson, the volume's turned way up."