Choctaw County ran for 337 yards, but it wasn't quite enough as the Chargers suffered another tough loss, 23-20 to unbeaten (4-0) East Webster. It was Choctaw County's third straight loss following an opening game victory over Independence.
“We probably should have won the game,” coach Jeff Roberts said.
He pointed to one key play. On its first possession of the second half, Choctaw County drove 87 yards, but a mishap on the snap resulted in a turnover inside the East Webster 10.
“We ran seven minutes off the clock. It was a good drive,” he said. “You can’t have those mistakes when you play anybody.”
Junior quarterback Tylan Carter, sophomore running back Dicenzo Miller and freshman running back Antonio Kennedy all ran well as Choctaw County averaged 10.2 yards for 33 rushes. Carter carried 13 times for 152 yards and one touchdown and completed nine passes for 52 yards. Miller had 17 carries for 129 yards and two TDs and Kennedy gained 56 yards on only three attempts.
Kennedy also had a TD run nullified by a holding penalty. “We have a package that involves him and Dicenzo. I like that package,” Roberts said.
Junior quarterback Steven Betts did most of the damage for East Webster. He completed seven passes for 152 yards and one TD and ran 16 times for 110 yards and one score.
Choctaw County went ahead 20-15 on a five-yard TD run by Miller early in the fourth quarter. East Webster responded with a 20-yard TD run by Tyrik Pittman and a two-point conversion run by Jontavis Cunningham that made it 23-20. Choctaw County failed to mount a threat in the final minutes.
Roberts said the punting of East Webster’s Parker Burleson repeatedly left the Chargers with poor field position. He averaged 42.2 yards for five punts and put all five inside the 20. Choctaw County’s first TD drive covered 96 yards.
Choctaw County outgained East Webster 389-342.
Last week the Chargers worked in practice on avoiding penalties. “This week, we will take a little extra time to make sure we don’t put the ball on the ground.”
The Chargers have a home game Friday against Kosciusko, a 4A school. Kosciusko is 1-3, but two of the losses were close games against two of the state’s best 3A teams, Yazoo County 20-16 and unbeaten Winona 35-28. Choctaw County lost to Winona 42-14.
“No 10 (Antonio Harmon) is a playmaker. They want to get the ball to him,” Roberts said.
Harmon, a 6-4, junior receiver, has 15 receptions for 241 yards and two TDs.
Junior Kentaveus Washington is the Whippets’ leading runner with 61 carries for 301 yards and four TDs. He had 146 yards against Yazoo County. Sophomore quarterback Ethan Wood has thrown for 498 yards and four TDs.
For the Chargers, Carter has passed for 326 yards and three TDs and run for 541 and four scores. Miller has 52 carries for 387 yards and four TDs and Kennedy 12 carries for 151 yards and one TD.
