Choctaw County’s contest with Ripley last week met the definition of a trap game, coming between the Chargers’ two biggest games of the season against Region 4-3A foes Houston and Noxubee County. Choctaw County defeated Houston 59-36 October 8 and plays at Noxubee County Friday in a game that should decide the region championship. The Chargers didn’t fall for the trap, taking care of business with a 20-6 victory over Ripley in a non region game. “I don’t know if we had as much energy as I would have liked, but it’s a game between two of the biggest games of the year,” coach Jeff Roberts said. “It’s good that we got out of the game healthy and with a win. That’s all you can ask for against a well coached team. Now it’s on to Noxubee.” Choctaw County took a 13-0 first quarter lead on a 12-yard pass from Tylan Carter to Antonio Kennedy and a 40-yard pick six by Ques McNeal. A five-yard run by Carter in the third quarter increased the lead to 20-0. Ripley scored early in the fourth quarter on a six-year run by Joseph Smith. Carter completed seven of 14 passes for 148 yards and ran seven times for 37 yards. Kennedy had 16 carries for 150 yards. In addition to his interception, McNeal was Carter’s leading target with four receptions for 70 yards. Dejuan Woods and Trace Beard each had 11 tackles and freshman Jae’din Thames, starting in place of injured Westly Vowell at linebacker, had 10. “That’s a pretty good job by a true freshman,” Roberts said. Kaleb Robinson’s five tackles included two sacks. Choctaw County and Noxubee County are both 2-0 in region play, Aberdeen is 1-1 with a loss to Choctaw County and Houston and Hatley 0-2. Noxubee edged Houston 15-13 two weeks ago and is coming off a 60-0 victory over Hatley. The Tigers are 4-1 overall, the loss coming against 5A power West Point. “They’re going to be good and physical,” Roberts said. Noxubee has a balanced offense, averaging 151 yards through the air and 122 on the ground. The Chargers and Tigers met twice last year. Choctaw County won in the regular season to claim the region championship, but Noxubee County won the North State final. “We have a chance to win the district championship two years in a row with a young group that has matured a lot this season,” Roberts said. Noxubee is ranked fourth and Choctaw County seventh among 3A schools by the website MaxPreps. The Chargers will complete the regular season with a home game against Hatley October 30. The 3A playoffs begin November 6.
