H.W. Byers Lions advance to second round

H.W. Byers outside linebacker Jessie Hughes Jr. burst into the backfield and stalled the quarterback, and his teammates helped halt Smithville’s two-point conversion try.

The defensive stand, with 25 seconds remaining, gave the Lions a 21-20 home win and sent them into round two of the Class 1A state playoffs.

“He (Hughes) caused disruption,” coach Mario Lane said. “He’s one of our senior leaders, and our upperclassmen have been making plays for us. It’s a great group.”

Byers led 14-7 at half. The Lions’ points came on a safety, a 5-yard touchdown run by Kesean Lafrance and a 6-yard quarterback keeper by Corey Willis Jr. Anterrio Guy’s 26yard interception return set up Willis’ score.

Byers maintained that lead going to the fourth, which turned into a barnburner. The Seminoles tied the contest at 14 with 7:38 remaining and then quickly forced a Byers punt on the Lions’ ensuing series. The Byers defense answered, stopping Smithville on a fourth and 2 with 4:44 left.

That’s when the Lions drove 59 yards for what proved to be the winning points. On a second 10 from the Smithville 38, Willis scrambled and found Cassell Vaughn behind the defense for a touchdown connection. Willis kicked the extra point for a 21-14 advantage with 1:08 to go in the game.

The Seminoles didn’t quit. A 39-yard pass play pushed the ball to the Byers 6. After a 4yard loss, Smithville scored on a 10-yard toss and catch. The visiting squad went for the two and the win, and the Lions were up to the challenge.

“It was a memorable win,” said Lane, in his first year at Byers. “This was another team effort. We are not a one-man show. It was awesome for our seniors. We get to go fight another day.”

It was Byers’ second victory over Smithville this season. The Lions won a regular season matchup, 32-28, back on October 9.

Next up for the Lions, 7-3, will be a long road trip to Itta Bena to face an 8-3 Leflore County squad. The Tigers routed Vardaman 44-8 in round one.