Greenville St. Joe wins first MAIS title since 2019
There's magic in the Greenville St. Joe helmets. Well, that's what Fighting Irish coach John Baker believes, and his championship record backs it up.
Greenville St. Joe was 3-0 in MAIS title games heading into Thursday's Class 4A championship matchup against Tri-County Academy at Jackson Academy.
The Fighting Irish defeated the Rebels in 2017 to claim their first title last season. Tri-County Academy knocked St. Joe out of the playoffs last season with a MAIS Class 4A semifinals victory.
The Fighting Irish wouldn't be denied again Thursday and rolled to a 26-14 victory.
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Senior C.J. Moore and Kye Nelson created some magic of their own and combined for four touchdowns as Greenville St. Joe (11-1) won its 10th consecutive game by 12 or more points.
"They dynasty continues," Baker said. "That's all there is to it."
"It's something special. It's magic in those gold helmets."
The Fighting Irish won three consecutive championships from 2017-19.
Moore got things started with an improbable 25-yard TD pass to Christian Forster at the end of the first quarter. Moore – a dual-threat quarterback – scrambled in and out of the pocket before finding Forster uncovered in the end zone.
"I saw two of my offensive players back there and I was just trying to get some space to get rid of the ball," Moore said.
Baker can count on Moore to "pull a rabbit out a hat" every time and trusted him to take an opportunity if given. That's what Moore did for a 76-yard rushing TD with 2:57 remaining in the first half. He finished with 167 passing yards, a passing TD, two rushing scores and two interceptions.
"He's just the best athlete on the team," Baker said. "He doesn't let things get to him. He threw an early pick. He knew he messed up but he came back, reset and ran that long touchdown for us. That's the kind of kid he is."
Tri-County Academy's Ty Milner tied the game at 14 with 59 seconds left in the second quarter with his second TD reception. Bryce Warriner hit Milner for a 20-yard TD.
Afterward, Greenville St. Joe turned to the running game and Nelson shined. Nelson missed last year's semifinal matchup due to injury, and this year's championship had an added meaning.
"This is revenge because it hurt so bad last yearn not being able to do anything to help," Nelson said. "This year it was all over.
"We're all just like a family. All of us have been playing together since sixth grade. We're all connected, and we're all just brothers. It's just easy out there."
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Nelson had a team-high 17 rushing TDs, and none was bigger than his 43-yard scamper with 1:56 remaining in the third to give the Fighting Irish a 20-14 lead. Moore closed out the game with 15-yard TD run, his 32nd touchdown in 12 games.
The Fighting Irish ended the Rebels' five-game win streak and won by nearly 37 points per game this season. However, for Moore, this year was about continuing a legacy at Greenville St. Joe.
"I've been with those boys since kindergarten," Moore said. "A long time. It means a lot."
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Greenville St. Joe wins first MAIS title since 2019
