Wildcats get first win of 2003

By By Steve Swogetinsky/EMG sports writer
September 13, 2003
Meridian High School scored twice in the fourth quarter to take a hard-fought 14-7 victory over the Laurel Golden Tornadoes Friday night at Ray Stadium.
For more than three and a half quarters, Meridian High School head coach Ed Stanley felt his team was on the verge of a successful breakthrough, and it came with 3:57 left in the game when junior safety A.J. Brown intercepted a pass with the score tied at 7-7.
Laurel quarterback Demond Morrow was under intense pressure when he released the pass. Brown caught it and ran the ball back to the endzone for an apparent touchdown. However, a penalty nullified the touchdown, but Meridian had the ball the Laurel 43.
The Wildcats pounded the ball down field with gains of three yards, no yards and 12 yards that gave them a first down on the Laurel 18. Running back Cordera Eason's two jaunts of six and four yards gave the Wildcats a first down on the Laurel 13.
Two plays later, Cordea Campbell broke through the line, sailing into the end zone from 10 yards out to give Meridian the lead.
Andrew Gambrell booted the extra point and Meridian had its first victory of the young season.
Meridian dominated the statistics. The Wildcats had 282 yards rushing on 40 carries and completed one pass for two yards, giving them 284 total yards. Laurel finished the night with 84 carries on 35 carries and 55 yards in the air for 139 total yards.
Laurel struck first when Morrow ran seven yards for a touchdown. Jerrod Clark kicked the extra point and Laurel held a 7-0 lead with 6:37 left in the first quarter.
That's how it stood until early in the fourth period when Cordera Eason broke loose for a 46-yard touchdown run, capping a five-play, 75-yard drive. Gambrell kicked the extra point and the game was tied at 7-7 with 10:16 left in the game.
While the fourth quarter was obviously important, Stanley pointed to the final seconds of the first half as a rallying point for his team. Meridian attempted a fake field goal and failed to get a first down, giving Laurel the ball on its 21.
The Wildcat defense dug in and stung the Tornadoes with losses of 3 and 17 yards. Laurel managed to put the ball out of its endzone and time ran out before Meridian could set up a scoring play.
Both teams are 1-2 on the season. Meridian High School visits St. Martin next Friday night while Laurel returns home to host Petal.