Poplarville Hornets defeat Louisville in the 4A state championship game
For over six months, high school football teams in the state of Mississippi have competed day in and day out to get to the high school state championship game.
In 4A, we have the Hornets of Poplarville High School getting ready to take on the Louisville Wildcats as they search for their first state championship title.
We start things off quickly with Quarterback Sydney Blackmon aiming up field to senior Zack Case and he rolls into the end zone, touchdown Hornets.
Poplarville takes the lead, but the Wildcats answer quickly with 15 of their own. One guy who wasn’t a big fan of that was sophomore running back Ty Keyes so he responds pretty quickly. The cats learn to never kick to this man again as he takes it 66 yards to the house! Poplarville now down just 15-14.
Louisville in the red zone, trying to make something happen before the half and something does happen in the form of the old tip and catch interception caught by Cole Henry.
New half for the ball game and the same old Hornet defense as its Jason Smith for yet another interception for the Green and Gold.
Wildcats tack on another seven, making it 22-14 to end the third, but the 4th starts with the Hornets as Keys takes the snap while also taking matters into his own hands for a 27-yard touchdown run, his second of the game.
But he’s not done yet, Keys given no time to catch his breath and still punches in two and the Hornets have tied it at 22 all with seven minutes left in the game.
Here comes the guts and glory! The onside kick is recovered by the Hornets and it is Poplarville’s ball!
Blackmon in the middle of the 50 now. He shuffles back and let’s one rip to Jeremiah Moss with a massive catch and he refuses to go down until he reaches the one-yard line.
Cleaning it up is none other than senior Nick Miller with the go-ahead touchdown, Hornets leading 29-22. Wildcats score next drive and attempt a two-point conversion and it is NO GOOD!
Poplarville Hornets are the 4A state champions for the first time in school history after an electric 29-28 finish.
Here’s what Head Coach Jay Beech and MVP Ty Keys had to say about their historical win! Coach Beech said, “It’s crazy. I’m so thankful and blessed and so happy for our kids and community. We’ve been hearing it everywhere you go ‘Y’all are going to go up there and lose”… well, we didn’t this time.”
Keys said, “I grew up watching Poplarville play against Louisville and that right there made me want to do it. We always lose by a couple points, but I wanted to be the first ones to do it and we did it.”
Poplarville Hornets are state champions!
