Wesson Cobras splash to Region 6-2A crown
Published 6:00 am Monday, October 28, 2002
WESSON – The persistent wind and rain Friday night forcedWesson’s homecoming activities to the Co-Lin gymnasium. The rainsdidn’t stop the Wesson Cobras from shutting out the St. Andrew’sSaints 19-0 and claiming the Region 6-2A title for the second yearin-a-row.
The Cobras won the right to host a first-round game in the Class2A State football playoffs beginning on November 8.
“It was awful sloppy,” said Wesson head football coach RonaldGreer in the dry confines of the Wesson field house. “St. Andrew’splayed awful well, They got after us on defense.”
With the victory, Wesson improves to 4-0 in the region and 8-1on the season. St. Andrew’s, coached by Dan Roach, falls to 1-3 and1-8 on the season.
In a battle for second, third and fourth in the region, McLaurinbeat Hinds AHS 24-12 and Loyd Star knocked off Madison St. Joseph28-0 Friday night.
Wesson visits Hinds AHS Friday night for the final game of theregular season.
The defenses for both team pretty much dominated most of thefootball game.
Wesson quarterback and kicker Nick Gunter nailed a 27-yard fieldgoal to go up 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Gunter connected to split end JohnnyButler for a 46-yard touchdown and a 9-0 lead for the Cobras. Thetwo-point conversion run failed.
Gunter tacked on his second field goal of the night, from 33yards out to push Wesson’s lead to 12-0 over St. Andrew’s.
In the final frame, inside linebacker Russell Robinson blocked aSaint punt on fourth down. Robinson picked up the loose footballand ran it in for a 10-yard TD. Gunter kicked his final PAT of thegame as the Cobras went up 19-0 and secured the win.
“I’m glad to win, considering our sloppy field conditions,”added Greer. “We made some mental mistakes which we don’t need tobe making.”
In the third quarter, Wesson was flagged for an ineligiblereceiver down field that cost the team a touchdown.
On the night, the Cobras collected 19 first downs and totaled260 yards on offense. St. Andrew’s was held to 165 yards.
The Cobra defense rose to the occassion to secure the shutout.Robinson directed Wesson with 10 tackles. Willie Sinclair made 8stops. Finishing with 7 tackles each were Ryan Williams, JoshMcCormick and Matt Dyess.
Butler and Sinclair intercepted a pass apiece for Wesson, withSinciair returning the turnover for 20 yards. Kyle Smith made fivetackles and deflected two passes. Matt Ishman led with an 11-yardsack. Herman Johnson had a 10-yard sack followed by Dyess andMcCormick with an 8-yard sack apiece. Ishman and Ira Shoop combinedfor a two-yard sack.
Offensively, Williams led the way for the Cobras with 14 carriesfor 100 yards. Emanuel Sinclair, despite playing with a sprainedshoulder, rushed 10 times for 62 yards. Johnson carried 3 times for33 yards.
Gunter punted 3 times for a 38-yard average.
Wesson was assessed 10 penalties for 55 yards.