Indians score late to knock off Hawks

Byhalia, built on the run, turned to the same pass play twice in a game-winning drive at Sam Coopwood Park in Holly Springs.

The Aaron Jeffries to Damarlyn Anderson connection went for 47 and 14 yards, the last one coming with 18 seconds left to give the Indians a 28-22 victory on the Hawks’ homecoming night. It was their third straight win.

“A testament of our program’s growth is that game-winning drive,” head coach Reginald Davis said. “Our kids are taking ownership of our program.

“We had a great week of preparation and had an all-business mentality heading into the game. We knew we would be in a hostile environment, and our kids did a good job of not letting the game get too big for them.”

The Indians scored on their first possession of the game. C.J. Wilson went into the end zone standing from 2 yards out.

The Hawks quickly answered. Chardarius Faulkner broke loose for a 65-yard gain, and Martavion Davis got the six points on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. Davis also ran for the two-point conversion and an 8-6 Holly Springs lead.

Byhalia responded with two second-quarter touchdowns to go up 22-8 at halftime. Jeffries dashed 51 yards for one score, and Wilson added the other on a 28-yard carry. Two-point conversions came from Tyler Perkins and Jeffries.

Holly Springs pulled to within eight on Kyson Isom’s 14-yard touchdown run with 5:34 left in the third. The home squad then tied the game with 2:55 remaining in the game.

Faulkner cashed in the 48-yard march with a 3-yard burst into the end zone, and he also carried for the two-pointer.

The Indians, on their clutch drive, went 65 yards in six plays to celebrate the win over their cross-county rivals.

"I'm proud of our kids for continuing to play, whether something good or bad happened," Davis said. "Jeffries and Anderson stepped up on that last drive."

He complimented his captains, Perkins, Jeffries, Anderson and Jabari Dockery for their leadership.

Clifford Brown, head coach of the Hawks, said his Hawks fought hard throughout, and he saw lots of improvement in his squad.

The Class 4A Indians (3-2) host Senatobia this Thursday night. The Warriors are 5-0. The 3A Hawks (0-5) visit Independence Friday night. The Wildcats are 3-2. Both games are district openers.