Noxapater football coach Caleb Kelly expected a tough game out of Ethel with playoff seeding on the line on Thursday night. But Noxapater flexed its muscles and rolled to a 38-13 win over Ethel to secure the No. 2 seed in Division 6-1A. Noxapater improved to 6-4 on the season and 4-1 in Division 6- 1A play, finishing as the No. 2 seed behind Velma Jackson. The Tigers will now host Stringer on Friday night in first-round Class 1A action. ìWe understood what we had to get done,î Kelly said. ìOur guys were very well prepared and focused and came out and took care of business. We had a great defensive game and I was proud of how the offense played. We were very explosive and everything was clicking in a good manner and thatís what you want to be doing in November.î Ethel got the ball to start the game and went three and out. Noxapater then scored on its first play from scrimmage on a 46- yard run from Camerion Pankey. JyKavius Riddle ran in the two-point conversion and Noxapater led 8-0. After turning the ball over on downs on its second possession, Noxapater scored again on its third possession as they went 51 yards on eight plays, scoring on a 10-yard run by A.J. Robertson. The try for two was good and the Tigers led 16-0. Ethel answered with a 12-yard run to cut the lead to 16-7. Noxapater answered as they went 63 yards in four plays as Pankey scored on a 19-yard run to go up 22-7. Ethel scored on a 4- yard pass at the end of the half to cut the lead to 22-13 at the half. Ethel got the ball to start the second half after recovering an onside kick but then fumbled on the first offensive play. Noxapater then went 54 yards in five plays and scored on a 31-yard run by Riddle. The try for two was good and Noxapater led 30-14. The scored stayed there through the third quarter until Noxapater scored on a 10-play, 82-yard drive as Andrew Harrington scored on a 29-yard run. Demarkus McCully ran in the twopoint conversion for the final margin of 38-13. Noxapater had 345 yards rushing and 30 passing for 375 yards of total offense. Pankey had a big game with 118 yards on six carries while Riddle had 74 yards on 16 carries and a TD. Demarcus McCully had 90 yards on 13 carries. Sanborn completed his only pass on a 30- yard gainer to Jytavious Ridge. On defense, Vontavious Triplett led Noxapater with 13 tackles while Queen Stephens, JíCameron Riley and Ryan Parker each had five tackles. Kim Lewis and Andrew Harrington each had four tackles while McCully had three tackles. JyKavius Riddle, A.J. Robertson, J.J. Miller and T.K. Wilson each had two tackles. Riley and Wilson each had fumble recoveries. This week's game The Tigers will be at home this week as they host Stringer in a firstround playoff game. The Red Devils are 4- 7 on the season with wins over Puckett (38- 17), West Lincoln (50- 7), Southeast Lauderdale (46-18) and Mount Olive (42-6). They have losses to Seminary (46-14), Pelahatchie (33-22), Nanih Waiya (16-14), Bay Springs (6-0)Loyd Star (33-24), Taylorsville (28-18) and Leake County (44-8). ìThey are going to be undersized at the line of scrimmage which I think plays into our favor,î Kelly said. ìThey run the wing T on offense and that creates some space for them. We are prepping and preparing for that. I think they will have trouble blocking us up front. Offensively, I think if we stay true to who we are we will be fine. Itís a big game for us and a chance to get our first playoff win since we got here.î
