LAUREL — A Tiger Stadium crowd of nearly 3,000 fans saw theNortheast Jones Tigers welcome the McComb Tigers for the openinground of the MHSAA South State 4A playoffs Friday night.

Trailing 20-8 with under 4 minutes, 30 seconds left on theclock, the black-and-gold clad Tigers scored 13 unansweredfourth-quarter points to shock the green-and-gold McComb Tigers21-20 Friday night.

With the win by NE Jones (No. 2 team in 5-4A), the Tigers improveto 9-2 overall. They travel to Moss Point Friday night. McCombconcludes its season at 7-4.

McComb, coached by Randy Martin, jumped on the scoreboard first.Linebacker Obie James sacked NE Jones quarterback Chucky Nichols inthe end zone for a safety. A minute later, wingback Justin Powellcaught a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Anthony Daniels.Martin’s ballclub led 8-0.

NE Jones, coached by Bubba Hathorn, scored near the end of thehalf. Fullback Ramon Blakeney scored on a 3-yard run. Eric Shelbyscored the conversion run to realize an 8-all deadlock athalftime.

McComb responded with a 70-yard Bobby Felder touchdown receptionfrom Daniels for a 14-8 advantage. In the fourth, Daniels foundtight end Kiam Magee with a 6-yard touchdown pass with 4:33 left inthe game.

On the ensuing drive, NE Jones’ Corey Harrison caught a 13-yardtouchdown pass from Shelby with 2:10 left on the clock. Hathorn’sballclub tried and succeeded in recovering the onside kick, when aMcComb defender could not fall on the football at midfield.

Shelby scored the game-winner with 30 seconds left on thescoreboard.