Lee Wade had a hand in all four Kosciusko touchdowns in a 28-20 victory over Choctaw County. He caught a TD pass from Ethan Wood, ran for a TD, scored on an interception return, and threw an 80-yard TD pass to Davion Roby.
“He had a game to remember,” said Coach Casey Orr.
The Whippets led 14-7 at the half. Choctaw County tied the game with a third quarter TD before Kosciusko went back ahead 21-14 on Wade's interception return early in the fourth quarter.
A Choctaw County TD cut the margin to 21-20, but the Chargers' attempt at a two-point conversion failed. The Wade-to-Roby pass produced the final score.
Choctaw County reached the red zone in the final minute, but a fourth down pass into the end zone fell incomplete with Roby and Deondre Riley on the coverage.
The Whippets had 237 yards through the air but netted only 37 on the ground. Wood was 13 of 19 passing for 157 yards. Wade had nine receptions for 107.
Caevon Tolivar was the Whippets' leading runner with 43 yards on 15 carries.
Choctaw County had 178 yards on the ground and 100 through the air. Antonio Kennedy was the Chargers' main offensive weapon with 24 carries for 140 yards and two TDs.
Kosciusko's Thomas Olive completes a halfback pass for the game clinching touchdown in the Whippets win over Choctaw County.
Jeff Parks / The Star-Herald
“He's a really good player,” Orr said. “I thought our guys did a really good job on him. He had one long run, but outside of that we contained him. They have a good group of receivers and we played well against them. Our defense held up all night. I'm really proud of them.”
He said safety Jeremy Whitcomb, defensive end Jerrell Erving, and outside linebacker Eli Kemp in the first start played well. Wade, Riley and Javen Mallett had nine tackles each, Kemp eight, Whitcomb and Erving seven.
Kosciusko's Eli Kemp (22), Tyran Mosley (30), & Marquavious Watson (44) bring down a Choctaw County ball carrier.
Jeff Parks / The Star-Herald
Kosciusko improved to 2-0. Choctaw County, a 2A school is 1-3, but every game has been against larger schools, three 4A and one 3A.
Kosciusko will have its home opener Friday against Forest. The Bearcats are 2-2 with wins against Leake County and Northeast Lauderdale and losses to Newton and Kemper County.
“They're big and they're fast,” Orr said. “They have size, and they have talent. It's going to be a good challenge for us. We're going to have to put a good win behind us and focus on the next opponent.”
