SHS wins Region 2-4A title
Senatobia and Independence closed out the regular season on the highest of notes last Thursday, with the Warriors earning the Region 2-4A championship and the Wildcats scoring a victory heading into the playoffs.
SHS picked up a 35-0 shutout of North Pontotoc, marking the third straight shutout by the Warriors. Meanwhile, Independence defeated Coahoma County on the road by a 30-12 final.
It didn’t take long at all for the Warriors to get on the scoreboard, as a long run from Jay Bonner set up a 13-yard touchdown carry from Julien Tabor. Leading 7-0, Senatobia earned favorable field position after an interception by Jarmarques Cathey, setting up the Warriors at their own 40-yard line.
Senatobia’s next score would not come until the second quarter, as Bonner hooked up with O’Ryan Bobo on a 26-yard touchdown pass, making it a 14-0 lead over North Pontotoc.
Just before halftime, the Warriors would gain even more momentum, as Tabor scored from 28 yards out to make it a 20-0 advantage for Senatobia.
Senatobia picked up right where it left off to open the second half, as Tabor’s 45-yard run set the Warriors up inside the red zone. Later, Tabor would score from three yards out, stretching the lead to 27-0.
Tabor would score one final time in the third quarter, as North Pontotoc simply had no answer for the Warriors. The last score came from two yards out, bringing the lead to 35-0 just before the fourth quarter.
Neither team would score in the final quarter, but Senatobia’s massive lead was more than enough to seal the win and the region title.
Senatobia improved to 9-1 on the season with the win and outscored its opponents in the month of October by a 174-3 margin. North Pontotoc dropped to 5-5 overall and 2-1 in Region 2-4A.
In Clarksdale, Independence held a narrow 8-6 lead at the end of the first quarter, but broke away with two touchdowns in the second, stretching the gap to 22-6 by halftime.
Coahoma County worked its way back within striking distance with a touchdown in the third quarter, but the Wildcats put the game away with a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter.
With the win, Independence moved to 7-2 on the season, as Coahoma County fell to 4-5 overall and 1-3 in Region 2-3A.
Both Senatobia and Independence will host first round playoff matchups this Friday, with the Warriors welcoming Leake Central to Varner Field and the Wildcats hosting Mooreville. Leake Central (3-7) is the fourth-seeded team from Region 4-4A, while Mooreville (7-3) is the fourth seed from Region 4-3A.
Both games are scheduled for 7 P.M. kickoffs on Friday, November 3.
