Cobras bite McLaurin Tigers
Published 5:00 am Monday, October 22, 2001
WESSON – Wingback Marcus Corley had his best game of the 2001football season Friday night for the Wesson Cobras. Corley, a5-foot-8, 160-pound senior, rushed the foothball eight times for112 yards and three touchdowns to power the Wesson Cobras in a 40-7Region 6-2A homecoming win Over McLaurinFriday night in StoneStadium.
“I just found the holes,” said Corley following the win. “Itfeels good to win. We’ve worked hard this season.”
With the win, Wesson improves to 3-0 in the region and 7-1 onthe season. St. Andrew’s was tied with Wesson for first but waswhipped 40-6 by region foe Loyd Star Friday night. St. Andrew’sfalls into a 2-1 tie with Loyd Star for second place.
McLaurin, coached by Bryan Walker, fell to 4-4 overall and 1-2in the region.
“We are tickled to death about the win,” said Wesson headfootball coach Ronald Greer. “Tickled to be 3-0 in district. Ourguys are doing a great job of taking it one game at a time.”
Wesson took over at the McLaurin 32-yard line when the theTigers failed on fourth down and short. Less than two minuteslater, Corley broke loose on third down and five for a 25-yardtouchdown. Nick Gunter kicked the extra point for the 7-0 lead with9:59 remaining. Gunter was 4 of 5 on PATs for the night.
The Cobras took over at their own 44 and scored on a 26-yardpass-play from senior quarterback Jason Shannon to juniorrunningback Emanuel Sinclair for a 14-0 lead with 6:20 remaining inthe first quarter.
Wesson marched 55 yards to score at the 10:49 mark in the secondquarter on a 19-yard burst by Corley for the 20-0 lead over theTigers.
With 3:11 left in the first half, the Cobras began a 76-yarddrive from from their own 24. At his 47-yard line, Shannonconnected to wide open senior wide receiver Emanuel Sinclair forthe touchdown and a 26-0 lead at the half.
Wesson started the third quarter at its own 32. On the firstplace, Shannon exploded down the field for a 68-yard touchdown andpushed the hosts lead to 33-0.
McLaurin took the kickoff and had the ball for two plays beforeturning it back over to Wesson. On the second play, Corleyintercepted Allison’s pass and returned it for a 40-yard score anda 40-0 lead with 10:22 left in the third quarter.
With 3:30 left in the fourth quarter, the Tigers scored on a53-yard touchdown run by Allison. The Mitch Myers PAT kick was goodas McLaurin cut the deficit to 40-7.
“McLaurin has a good football team,” added Greer. “Theirquarterback is a load. Their No. 2 (Graylon Allison) is a giftedreceiver.”
Assisting on the Wesson ground attack was Ryan Williams with sixrushes for 29 yards. Billy Ray Miller carried five times for 31yards. Rushing for 73 yards on three tries was Shannon LadelleJackson picked up 38 yards on eight carries.
Defensively, junior linemen Josh McCormick led Wessonwith 10 tackles. Matt Dyess collected eight tackles. Making sevenstops was Billy Ray Miller. Intercepting a pass were CharlesPowell, Tom Burgess and Ryan Causey.
Wesson visits St. Andrew’s Friday night for another bigregion test. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
@Bbstandings:McLaurin
0
0
0
7 – 7
Wesson
14
12
14
0 – 40
FIRST QUARTER
Wesson – Corley 28 run (Gunter kick)
Wesson – Sinclair 32 pass from Shannon (Gunterkick)
SECOND QUARTER
Wesson – Corley 19 run (pass failed)
Wesson – R. Miller 53 pass from Shannon (kickfailed)
THIRD QUARTER
Wesson – Shannon 68 run (Gunter kick)
Wesson – Corley 40 run (Gunter kick)
FOURTH QUARTER
McLaurin – Allison 53 run (Myers kick)