The Wesson Cobras (4-4) played host to the visiting West Marion Trojans (7-2) Friday night for a pivotal division 8-3A district matchup. In the end it would be the Trojans who would eke out a close 21-12 over the Cobras.

After a defensive battle in the first quarter, the Cobras would strike first with 9:12 left in left in the half as sophomore running back Jason Edwards would cap off an 80-yard drive as he plunged in from 1-yard out. The extra point attempt was no good and the Cobras led 6-0. 

On the next drive West Marion would fumble the ball on their second play and the Cobras recovered but were forced to punt after a three and out. 

West Marion attempted to put a drive together after the punt, but Wesson senior Jim Guess intercepted a pass to stop it.

The Cobras took over about midfield and turned the ball right back over to the Trojans on a mishandled snap by quarterback Antrelle Sims.  The Trojans capitalized on the Cobra mistake as they scored a 33-yard pass play from quarterback Jaydan Duncan to wideout Dontavious McGowen. The extra point was good, and the Trojans led 7-6 with just over four minutes left in the half. 

The Trojan kickoff pinned the Cobras deep in their own territory as they started their drive from their own 10-yard line. Wesson could not get anything going and was forced to punt. 

The Trojans took over at midfield with two minutes left in the half and they would drive the ball down the field and score on another touchdown pass by Duncan, this time to Kentarious Cotton for a 20-yard reception, the extra point was good, and the Trojans would take a 14-6 lead into the half. 

West Marion received the kickoff after halftime and returned it across midfield into Cobra territory, then they patiently drove the ball closer and closer to the endzone and eventually scored on another touchdown pass from Duncan to McGowen, this time from 8 yards out. The extra point was good and with 7:41 left in the third, West Marion led 21-6. 

In the fourth quarter after a Wesson turnover on downs West Marion took over on their own 40-yard line and fumbled on the first play. Cobras defensive back Victavian Edwards scooped it up and returned in down to the Trojan 20-yard line. However, the Cobras couldn’t capitalize as penalties and the Trojan defense backed them up close to midfield and force another punt. 

Finally, with 4:28 left after a Trojan punt the Cobras were able to put together a 65-yard drive that ended with a Sims touchdown pass to senior fullback Chamar Martine. The extra point was no good as the score rested at the eventual final, 21-12.

“The end of the first half hurt, they scored twice in the last five minutes of the half,” said Wesson head coach Jeremy Loy. “We just made too many mistakes tonight.” 

“This was a physical football game,” said West Marion coach Brad Duncan. “Special teams plays were big for us tonight and defensively we did not give up any big plays and that made the difference in the game.” 

The Cobras will travel to Tylertown next week to take on the Chiefs. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Story by Rusty Newman