An intense rivalry had a happy ending for senior linebackerWayne Nations and the Enterprise Fighting Yellow Jackets.Enterprise produced a punishing ground game, made two goal-linestands and intercepted four passes as the host Jackets beat BogueChitto’s Bobcats 28-18 Friday night on Harry Cole Field.

Enterprise, 6-4 overall and 6-3 in Region 4-1A, secured fourthplace in the region and a berth in the state playoffs which startFriday. The Jackets travel to Region 3-1A champion Puckett (10-0)to play the Wolves.

“It was a big win for us and it got us in the state playoffs,”said Nations. “We wouldn’t have it any other way than to beat themand make the playoffs.

“We made two goal-line stands and they were big,” added Nations,whose right hand was still numb after a helmet hit his elbow duringthe game. He was among 15 seniors honored in a pregameceremony.

A crowd, estimated at 1,000, witnessed the battle on a coldnight. Bogue Chitto (4-6, 4-5) couldn’t stop Enterprise runningback Terrell May who rushed 34 times for 284 yards and 1 touchdown.The Bobcats gave up 361 yards on the ground and trailed 22-6 athalftime before scoring twice in the fourth quarter.

Enterprise head coach Roe Burns presented footballs to each ofhis seniors at midfield. He watched his team turn back asecond-half rally by the Bobcats. His quarterback, Blake McKee, hadsustained a second-quarter ankle injury when he was sacked by BC’sCory Washington.

“Losing our quarterback kept us from having a passing game,”said Burns. “It also kept us from doing anything outside.”

Burns said May did an outstanding job running the football andthe Enterprise defense rose to the occasion. “Terrell ran the ballwell. Those goal-line stands were good for our defense. Thoseinterceptions were big.”

Bobcat quarterback Seth Avants was intercepted 4 times. ChrisFuller, Chris Moak, Alex Powell and McKee picked off passes. Themost important theft came early in the third quarter when theBobcats were at the Enterprise 14-yard line. Powell picked off theAvants aerial in the end zone, killing a TD drive.

BC head coach Gareth Sartin said his team didn’t play fourquarters of football. “For some reason, we can’t play a whole game.We shut (Enterprise) down in the second half. We definitely had ourchances.”

Sartin pointed to his team’s breakdowns in the red zone. “We gotto the one (yard line) twice but we turned it over on downs. Thenthat interception in the end zone hurt us.

“I’m proud of my kids,” Sartin continued. “They didn’t quit. I’mreally going to miss my seniors. They did a great job.”

Enterprise scored on its first possession, going 53 yards in 9plays. McKee faked a handoff and swept left end for the TD. May ranthe PAT for an 8-0 lead with 6:10 showing.

The Jackets scored on their second possession, driving 89 yards.May went the final 2 yards over right tackle.

A goal-line stand by the Jackets stopped BC tailback CoryWashington at the 1-yard line. Enterprise launched a 99-yard TDmarch, using 15 plays. Fullback Drew Waldrop plunged the final yardover left guard. May ran the PAT and Enterprise led 22-0 with 4:26left in the first half.

BC got a dazzling, 55-yard kickoff return by C.J. Tate to set uphis team’s first touchdown. Washington went the final yard overright tackle. Avants was tackled short of the goal line on the PATrun, and the Bobcats trailed 22-6 with 1:57 left in the firsthalf.

Late in the third quarter, BC began a 92-yard touchdown march. A46-yard scramble by Avants highlighted the drive. Avants went thefinal 4 yards around right end for the TD. Donyea Dillon wastackled short of the goal line on the 2-point conversion run and BCtrailed 22-12.

With just over 5 minutes left in the game, Sartin elected to tryfor a first down from BC’s 4-yard line, but Avants’ long pass fellincomplete. Two plays later, Enterprise scored an insurance TD onWaldrop’s 3-yard plunge, giving the hosts a 28-12 lead with 4:28left in the game.

BC’s final TD, a 43-yard completion from Avants to Dillon, camewith 3:48 left to play.

On defense, Colby Sullivan led the Jackets with12 tackles. Bronson Russell, Vincent Smith and Chris Moak had 8stops apiece.

The Bobcats got 17 tackles and a sack from Matt Boone. RichardWilliams had 15 tackles. Washington had 14 tackles. Steven Snow andTate each had 11 tackles. Dillon intercepted a pass.