Tylertown improved to 4-0 on the season with a 21-14 road win Friday night against previously undefeated South Pike.
Tylertown’s Keyon Jefferson got things going with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game and give the Chiefs a 7-0 lead.
Neither team was able to do much offensively during the first quarter, other than a few first downs from South Pike freshman quarterback Dontavious Turner.
The Eagles (3-1) got on board with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Turner to wide receiver Roctavis Magee with 9:38 remaining in the first half. After a bobbled snap caused a failed PAT, Tylertown held a 7-6 lead.
As the defenses dominated much of the game, both offenses turned the ball over on downs during the second quarter.
As drenching rains began to pour, running back Deldrionn Amos caught a pass and fumbled. Tylertown’s Ojavious Magee recovered the ball at the Chiefs’ 40 yard line with 6:50 remaining in the first half.
“Things just went our way,” Tylertown head coach Osborne Holmes said. “They played tough. We competed real well with a great, great team.”
The Eagles defense made sure tackles, but the Chiefs were able to melt the clock late in the first half.
Averaging 3 yards a carry and going for every fourth down, Tylertown ate the clock and scored on a Da’bryan Magee quarterback keeper in the final minute from 2 yards out to extend the Chiefs’ lead to 13-6.
Turner moved the ball during the second half and got two key first downs with his feet, but Tylertown adjusted and applied pressure. Tylertown’s Ty James deflected a pass and ended a drive on downs in the second half.
Turner was forced to leave with an injury, and senior William Carter came into the game at quarterback.
After the Chiefs took over on downs, the Eagles’ defense, led by Brian Smith, Kedarrious Shields and Deldrionn Amos penetrated to get tackles for losses and put the Chiefs at their own 25 yard line with a third-and-long.
The next play was the deciding factor as Eagles star safety Keshun Nimox slipped in the wet turf to leave Jefferson wide open down the middle of the field for a 75-yard touchdown. The Eagles attempted to block the PAT, but Chiefs backup quarterback Jashon Baker pulled the ball and ran it in for a 2-point conversion, making the score 21-6.
“Two big plays was the difference,” South Pike head coach Brinson Wall said. “The kickoff return and the slip were the ones that got us. I’m super proud of my guys tonight.”
Carter orchestrated an 80-yard drive on the ensuing possession and punched it in on a quarterback keeper from 4 yards out to bring the Eagles within range. Amos ran in the 2-point conversion to make the score 21-14 with 11:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Tylertown tried to milk the clock, but the Eagles’ defense stood tall, creating three possession changes with a punt and two turnovers on downs after goal line stances.
The Eagles had their last possession on their 3-yard line with 1:50 remaining in the fourth quarters.
Jefferson decided to neglect his Cover 3 duties and jump the receiver’s route, intercepting the ball and securing the victory.
“I just really wanted this game,” said Jefferson, a junior defensive back. “I saw the ball go in the air I just knew I had to get it.”
Tylertown was held to 45 yards rushing in the win.
Smith, who plays linebacker, and defensive lineman Marquell Brumfield led South Pike with a combined 19 tackles. Three of the tackles were for losses and the Eagles had 70 tackles on the night.
“We have to put this one behind us,” Wall said. “They gave me everything they had. These guys give me everything they have every Friday night.”
Kirk Jefferson led Tylertown with 11 solo tackles.
Tylertown is at Franklin County (2-3) at 7 p.m. Thursday, while South Pike is at Port Gibson at 7 p.m. Friday.
