Choctaw County made it two for two against 4A schools with a 35-26 victory over homestanding Clarksdale on Friday night.
“We played really well to start the game,” said CCHS head coach Jeff Roberts.
The Chargers jumped out to a 21-0 lead on two TD runs by quarterback Tylan Carter and a 36-yard interception return by linebacker Brian Threadgill. Choctaw County added TDs on a 61-yard run by Dicenzo Miller and a 30-yard pass from Carter to Kendall Coleman for a 35-12 lead at the half.
Carter completed four of six passes for 53 yards and carried 15 times for 121 yards. Miller had 12 carries for 92 yards and Coleman was the leading receiver with three for 45 yards.
“We could have thrown the ball a couple more times, but I wanted to run the clock and play good defense” Roberts said.
Clarksdale scored two second half touchdowns and outgained Choctaw County 488-278, but the Chargers made some big plays on defense. That included interceptions by Ques McNeal inside the 10 yard line and by Logan Stirewalt in the end zone to stop Clarksdale drives.
“That was a big deal because they were moving the ball. Our defense didn't break, didn't give up touchdowns,” Roberts said. “I'm okay with them having a six-minute drive when we are up by a couple of scores.”
Clarksdale's final touchdown late in the game cut the Choctaw County lead to 35-26. The Wildcats went for two, but two penalties made it a long conversion attempt, resulting in an incomplete pass, leaving it a two-score game. Clarksdale got the ball back with less than a minute on the clock, but was unable to move the ball.
The victory evened the Chargers' record to 3-3. It came a week after a 48-7 victory over another 4A team, Kosciusko.
Choctaw County will begin Region 4-3A play Friday with a home gain against Aberdeen. “They will have good size on the offensive line and good size on the defensive line,” Roberts said. “We have to do what we are supposed to do. Start district play with a 1-0 record.”
Aberdeen has struggled. After opening the season with a 26-0 win over Okolona, the Bulldogs have lost five in a row, the last three being shutouts.
