There was not a lot of scoring to be had in last Friday night’s playoff victory for Senatobia.
With as well as the defense played however, the Warriors did enough to get the job done.
Senatobia earned the 7-6 victory against Houston in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs, improving to 7-2 on the season and putting the Warriors one step closer to an elusive state title.
“We couldn’t get a lot going on offense,” Senatobia coach Brooks Oakley said, following the game. “We have been able to run the ball but Houston’s talented defensive front really put a stop to that tonight. There were times that we just couldn’t get out of our own way tonight, but we did just enough and Tyreese made some plays with his feet. We played just well enough to get out and advance.”
Senatobia found itself in trouble early as a high punt snap sailed over the head of Koby Rhone and to the 25-yard line, gifting Houston solid field position midway through the first quarter.
As expected, the Hilltoppers turned the solid field position into points as a four-yard Jalen Washington touchdown put Houston on the board first. However, in a move that ultimately made the difference down the line, the Toppers would miss the two-point conversion attempt, keeping Houston’s lead at 6-0.
Penalties plagued Senatobia throughout the first quarter and for most of the night, but the Warriors finally managed to break free with 1:14 left in the opening quarter, as Jordan Osborn’s 30-yard carry put the Warriors in the red zone to open the second quarter.
Facing third and goal from the one-yard line, quarterback Tyreese Hullette got SHS on the board on the first play of the quarter to tie the contest. Rhone followed with a successful PAT, giving the Warriors a 7-6 edge.
Senatobia threatened to extend its lead with 5:36 left to go in the first half, marching all the way down to the Hilltoppers’ 24-yard line. The Warriors would lose a fumble though, ending the momentum and giving Houston a chance to strike back.
With Houston in the red zone with just over a minute remaining, Luke Sinquefield intercepted the Toppers’ quarterback in the end zone, returning the ball out to the 10-yard line. A personal foul penalty after the play against Houston further benefited the Warriors, giving SHS another shot at the end zone.
Using its final two timeouts back-to-back, Houston successfully double iced Koby Rhone’s field goal attempt, as the ball fell short of the uprights as the first half expired.
Neither offense had any trouble getting across midfield throughout the second half but both defenses managed to stop any drive without allowing any further points. Some of the most notable possessions included Senatobia starting at Houston’s 37-yard line after LaJoshua Jackson’s fumble recovery and Houston being stopped on fourth down inside the Warriors’ 25-yard line. Neither drive resulted in points.
Houston’s next best chance to pull ahead came late in the fourth quarter, when the Hilltoppers started at midfield and drove the ball to the 36-yard line. Facing fourth down with 2:16 left to go, Canon Crockett laid the sack on the Houston ball carrier, setting up the Warriors near midfield for victory formation.
Oakley spoke highly of his defense after the contest.
“We gave up one touchdown on a botched punt,” Oakley said. “The rest of the night, they played lights out. Houston has some great skill players and we were able to pass rush and keep those guys in check. Our kids kept us in it and played their guts out.”
Senatobia totaled 232 yards of total offense, including 146 yards on the ground. Osborn tacked on 78 rushing yards on nine carries, followed by 62 yards from Hullette, who also passed for 86 yards on seven completions.
With the win, Senatobia moves on to face Winona in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs this Friday night. The Tigers (9-1) are coming off a 48-33 victory against Kossuth.
“This time of year, we cannot make smart penalties and put us in bad spots,” Oakley said. “Those are things we don’t usually do. We will have to clean that up because the later we go, the less mistakes we have to make to keep this run going.”
Kickoff from Winona is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game can be heard live on SuperTalk North Mississippi 93.7 FM.
In other action:
Northside 50,
Strayhorn 0
Despite earning its eighth playoff appearance in the last nine seasons, Strayhorn was no match for Northside, the state’s third-ranked Class 2A team, as the host Gators defeated the Mustangs 50-0 last Friday night.
Strayhorn ends the season at 2-7 overall while the Gators improve to 8-0 overall.
Coldwater 2, Falkner 0
(Falkner forfeit due to COVID-19)
Coldwater’s loss to Myrtle two weeks ago ended the Cougars’ playoff chances and a COVID-19 forfeit by Falkner denied CHS one last chance to take the field.
Coldwater ends the season at 3-7 overall and 3-4 in Region 1-1A.
