Close call marks end of West Jones' season

By By Shawn Wansley / EMG sports writer
Nov. 29, 2003
WAYNESBORO To West Jones fans, the South State 4A football championship may have been decided on one play late in the game.
Trailing 15-14, the Mustangs faced a fourth and 6 at their own 31-yard line with around two minutes left to play. Quarterback Brett Hyatt hit wideout Michael Thigpen for an 11-yard gain and an apparent first down. The chains moved and West Jones moved up to the line of scrimmage for their next play.
But, an official on the opposite side of the field from the West Jones bench had called the Mustangs for an illegal formation.
After the ball was moved back five yards, West Jones attempted another pass on fourth-and-11. It fell incomplete, the War Eagles took over and ran out the clock.
But Pierson refused to single out that one play.
Crowd count
Many observers felt there were not as many in attendance at Friday night's game as there was for the Oct. 24 contest here at War Eagle Stadium.
Wayne County principal Alvin Smith said there were 9,100 paid tickets for the first game and 6,500 paid for Friday night's South State 4A championship game.
Game captains
Game captains for Friday's game were, for West Jones: Britt Barefoot, Brett Hyatt, Archie Sims and Derrick Howard. For Wayne County: Alex Poole, Marzell McGill, Jerry Pitts, and Shane McCaa.