Coaches say all the time that it’s not how you begin the season that counts, but how you finish.
Tylertown High School is a perfect example of that adage.
Through the first six games of the 2013 prep football schedule, the Chiefs were 1-5 overall. Four of those defeats were by a combined total of 21 points. Three were by a combined total of nine points.
The Chiefs’ early schedule was top-heavy with Class 4A schools. But when it came time to open the Region 8-3A schedule, the Chiefs were ready.
Tylertown sailed through the region schedule, going unbeaten in five games to win the region championship. At 6-5 overall, Tylertown opens the 3A playoffs Friday night at home against 3-6-1 Jefferson County. The Tigers finished fourth in Region 7 behind Hazlehurst, Wilkinson County and Franklin County.
“Right now, we’re playing our best football of the year,” Tylertown head coach Jason Johnson said. “The story all season was what a young team we were. We’re not a young team anymore. We now know the speed of the game and we’ve been getting better every week. Our non-conference schedule got us ready for conference play. All five of our losses were to teams in the playoffs, including three district champions.”
Tylertown enters Friday’s 7 p.m. game fresh off a 33-0 rout of Seminary. Junior running back Ja’Mori Mark carried 35 times for 260 yards and four touchdowns. Through 10 games, Mark has rushed 159 times for 1,160 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Offensive weapons for the Chiefs also include Ja’Mori’s twin brother, quarterback Ja’Moz Mark, who directs the Chiefs’ basic Wing-T attack. Ja’Moz Mark is second on the team in rushing with 789 yards on 110 carries with five touchdowns. Sophomore wingback Milton Harrell has rushed for 617 yards and seven touchdowns.
When the Chiefs opt to go to the air, sophomore receiver Vashea Jefferson leads the team with 18 receptions for 328 yards. Ja’Mori Mark has 14 receptions for 219 yards and junior receiver Tekodee Peters has 106 receiving yards.
Defensively, the Chiefs allowed just 26 points in their five region games. Offensively, Tylertown averaged just over 36 points in conference play.
Junior inside linebacker Joe Dillon’s 99 total tackles lead the Chiefs. He has 16 tackles for loss. Junior defensive end Joe Gesse had three sacks last week and his 53 total tackles are second in the club. He has nine tackles for loss.
Despite the records, Johnson said he expects a rugged contest against Jefferson County. The Tigers enter Friday’s game off a 30-6 loss to Franklin County. Senior running back Arthur Norton had Jefferson Country’s lone touchdown on a 1-yard run. His 78 yards rushing on 19 carries led the team.
“I expect a physical ball game with Jefferson County,” Johnson said. “Jefferson County has a lot of athleticism with a lot of size.”
