CRYSTAL SPRINGS – Wesson head football coach Ronald Greerchallenged his Cobras during practice this week and they respondedFriday night with a 42-22 non-division win over the Crystal SpringsTigers.

“We offered a challenge to the kids this week and theyresponded,” said Greer following the game. “We cut out some of ourmistakes.”

Wesson, rebounding from a 21-0 loss to Franklin County, improvedto 4-1. Crystal Springs fell to 1-4 with the loss. Coaching theTigers is Royce Foster.

After holding the Tigers to four downs following the openingkickoff, the Cobras scored on their first play when senior runningback Billy Ray Miller exploded down the right sideline for a69-yard tochdown. Nick Gunter kicked his first of five extrapoints. Gunter also kicked two field goals. Wesson led 7-0 at the10:02 mark.

Crystal Springs was driving the football on the next possessionand fumbled at the Wesson 45-yard line. Cobra senior defensivelineman Charles Powell picked up the football and ran down themiddle of the field for a 55-yard TD that lifted Wesson’s lead to14-0 at the 5:57 mark.

“We ran one offensive play in the first quarter and were up14-0,” stated Greer.

In the second quarter, Crystal Springs picked up the tempo andscored on a six-yard burst by junior runningback Joe Ball to cutthe deficit to 14-6 with 11:12 left in the first half.

The Cobras tacked on a 22-yard field goal from Gunter with threeseconds left in the first half to go up 17-6.

On the first play of the third quarter, Miller broke loose againto score from 66-yards out and put Wesson ahead 24-6.

The Cobras scored again at the 7:03 mark on a 35-yard field goalkick by Gunter which pushed the lead to 27-6.

The next Wesson score of the third quarter came with 3:21 left.Gunter scored on a one-yard keeper that put Wesson up 37-6 with3:21 left.

In the fourth quarter, Gunter ran 12 yards for the final Cobratouchdown of the game that gave the visitors a 42-6 advantage with11:52 left to play.

The Tiger starters went on to score two touchdowns in the finalframe against the Cobra reserves. Senior runningback NathanielAdams rushed for a 14-yard TD and a two-point conversion at the6:30 mark to cut Wesson’s lead to 42-14. With 1:52 remaining,LaKendrick Brown scrambled 1 yard for the final TD of the game.Adams ran for two points, trimming the deficit to 42-22.

Wesson collected 17 first downs and totaled 373 yards totaloffense. Crystal Springs finished with 276 rushing yards and 15first downs.

Powering the Wesson ground game with 11 carries for 187 yardswas Miller. Jason Shannon rushed six times for 63 yards followed byRyan Williams with 37 yards on three carries.

Wesson senior runningback Marcus Corley was on the sidelinesrecovering from a groin injury. Greer hopes he will be readyThursday night against St. Joseph of Madison.

Defensively, Miller also sparked the Cobra defense with13 tackles. Josh McCormick made nine stops. Matt Dyess directedeight stops.

“I thought we did a good job of containing them(Tigers),” added Greer.

Wesson plays a Thursday night special at Stone Stadiumhosting Region 6-2A foe St. Joseph. Crystal Springs will host AmiteCounty Friday night.

Wesson 14 3 17 7 – 42

Crystal Springs 0 6 0 16 – 22

FIRST QUARTER

Wes – B.R. Miller 69 run (Gunter kick)10:02.

Wes – Powell 55 fumble recovery return (Gunter kick)5:57

SECOND QUARTER

CS – Ball 6 run (run failed) 11:12.

Wes – Gunter 22 field goal .03.

THIRD QUARTER

Wes – B.R. Miller 66 run (Gunter kick)11:35.

Wes – Gunter 35 field goal 7:03.

Wes – Gunter 1 run (Gunter kick) 3:21.

FOURTH QUARTER

Wes – Gunter 11 run (Gunter kick) 11:06.

CS – Adams 14 run (Adams run) 6:30.

CS – Brown 1 run (Adams run) 1:52.