West Point football's shutout brings chance for state championship revenge vs. Picayune

Langston Newsome, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·3 min read

VICKSBURG – West Point football and coach Chris Chambless are no strangers to advancing to the MHSAA Class 5A state championship.

The Green Wave had advanced to six consecutive title games, including a streak of winning four in a row from 2016-19, heading into Friday's semifinal matchup against Vicksburg.

West Point wouldn't be denied from a seventh straight appearance and another chance at a gold ball. Junior Branson Rainey capitalized on a miscue from the Gators on the opening kickoff, returning a Vicksburg fumble for a touchdown to start the game. The Green Wave went on to dominate in a 14-0 victory and will face Picayune for the crown.

"We're just carrying on the tradition," senior Keshawn Henley said. "Playing hard and like always, look back at the older people that played in front of us. (It's) hard work and dedication."

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West Point's defense took control after the Green Wave (11-2) took an early 8-0 lead. Vicksburg (10-3) had two failed fourth-and-goal conversions on back-to-back drives in the first half and never recovered offensively.

"We work on those situations in practice every day," Chambliss said.

"I think that's really helped us with that mentality of being tough when you need to be (and) when you've got to be. They forced us into situations we had to toughen up and make plays and our defense was able to do that."

West Point allowed nearly 18 points per game this season and was dominant in the second half.

The game was over in Henley's eyes with 7:58 left in the third quarter. His 3-yard TD run capped off the Green Wave's opening drive of the second half.

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Now, West Point's focus shifts to Picayune. The Green Wave fell to the Maroon Tide 40-21 in the championship game last season as Oregon commitment Dante Dowdell rushed for 149 yards and two TDs.

The four-star recruit has Picayune (14-0) rolling after a 49-14 victory over Gautier in the semifinals.

Rainey and the Green Wave knew there was a possibility of facing Picayune for the title again. The two programs also met in 2019 final. It's exactly what Rainey wanted.

"Revenge, we're on their neck this year," Rainey said.

West Point is on an 11-game winning streak after losing to Louisville and Starkville to start the season. However, Chambliss only has his eyes on how West Point finishes. The Green Wave were undefeated heading into the title game last year.

West Point will face Picayune at 7 p.m. Friday at M.M. Roberts Stadium at Southern Miss.

"It's been motivation through the whole offseason," Chambliss said. "You have a great season and you got a bad taste in your mouth. That's what happened this last year."

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: West Point football beats Vicksburg, gets MHSAA rematch vs. Picayune