Winona High School could move a step closer to an undefeated mark in Region 3-3A play as it entertains Amanda Elzy Friday at 7 p.m. at Tiger Field.
The Tigers are 6-1 overall and 2-0 in league play after beating Humphreys County 42-22 last week. The Panthers are 5-3 overall and 2-0 in the region after defeating Yazoo County 19-10 last week.
“Elzy is a lot better than they were last season,” said Winona head coach Joey Tompkins. “They play hard on both sides of the ball, and they do a good job of mixing it up on offense. Their quarterback (Jevarion Glover) is a dual-threat quarterback. He can run and throw, and he does a good job. He has really matured and improved his game since last season.
“Their defense is very good. Their linebackers run to the ball, and they play a cover 3 in the secondary. That’s something we don’t see very often. They have some big bodies up front. It’s going to be a challenge for us. It’s our homecoming, and there are always distractions. We just have to overcome those and play our best.”
The Tigers had a battle on their hands last week against the Cowboys, who fall to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the region. Winona only led 14-6 after the first period, 20-6 at the half and just 20-14 early in the third frame.
“They could move the ball, and we helped them by giving them good field position a few times,” said Tompkins. “We were up 14-6 and only had five or six offensive plays to our credit. We were moving the ball and scoring quickly, but Humphreys was taking the ball and putting together long drives. Our defense didn’t do a good job of stopping them. We didn’t tackle well, and they (Humphreys) were looking to have long drives and keep the clock running.
“I said last week Humphreys was going to present us a challenge. They have some big guys up front, and they just wanted to pound and lean on our defensive front. Coach (Timothy) James is doing a good job turning that program around.”
The Tigers grabbed a 7-0 lead when Zaishun Nash ran in from 25 yards out and Aubrey Bailey booted the point after to make it 7-0. Humphreys came back with a three-yard TD run, but the Tigers tacked on a five-yard run by Nash before the quarter ended for a 14-6 advantage with Bailey’s PAT.
Kam’ron Robinson hauled in a 17-yard pass from Chase Richardson for the only score in the second period for a 20-6 lead at the break.
The Cowboys scored the first TD in the third on a four-yard run and tacked on a 2-point conversion to make it 14-6. Winona got a one-yard TD run from Richardson, and a Tristin Purnell 2-point run to make it 28-14 headed to the fourth.
Richardson scored from 13 yards out, and Bailey made the point after for a 35-14 advantage. A’jerrian Garrett scored on a five-yard run, and Bailey’s kick made it 42-14. Humphreys scored on a 10-yard pass late in the fourth.
Richardson was 8-of-14 for 168 yards with no interceptions. He ran for 52 yards on six carries. Nash finished with 86 yards on 12 carries, and Robinson had 38 yards on two totes. Tomarrion Brown had 45 yards on three carries.
Purnell led the receivers with three receptions for 72 yards, and Robinson had three grabs for 70 yards. J.J. Burt had two catches for 29 yards.
Eric Boone had four solo stops and 11 assists (two tackles for loss). Garrett had six solos and five assists, and Fred Clark had seven solos and two assists. Javien Jackson had two solos and five assists, and Tyler Lockhart had two solos and four assists.
Irvie Bays had two solos, two assists and an interception, and Robinson had a solo and four assists. Trey Cox had three solo stops.
