A slow start doomed Kosciusko in a 31-24 loss to Caledonia in the opening round of the MHSAA 4A playoffs, ending the Whippets' season.
Caledonia scored a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter for a 17-0 lead. After that, the Whippets outscored the Cavaliers 24-14, but the rally fell short.
“We didn't get off to the start we needed,” said coach Casey Orr. “We lost the first quarter all together in all three phases. We didn't play well offensively. We didn't play well defensively. And we didn't execute on special teams.”
Kosciusko's Jatavious Noel looks for yardage on a kickoff return.
Jeff Parks / The Star-Herald
Kosciusko got on the scoreboard with a 39-yard field goal by Will Carter to make it 17-3 at the half. The teams kept trading touchdowns in the second half. The Whippets scored on the opening drive on a short run by quarterback Ethan Wood, and it was 17-10 entering the fourth quarter.
Caledonia scored to make it 24-10, but the Whippets responded with another short TD run by Wood, cutting the deficit to 24-17. Another Cavalier TD made it 31-17. Kosciusko countered with a TD pass from Wood to Jerremy Whitcomb with 1:39 left.
Out of timeouts, the Whippets attempted an onside kick, but failed to gain possession and Caledonia was able to run out the clock.
Kosciusko receiver Davion Roby picks up good yardage as he runs away from the Caledonia defense.
Jeff Parks / The Star-Herald
Wood completed 23 of 40 passes for 285 yards, but the Whippets netted only four years on the ground. Davion Roby had six receptions for 121 yards and Whitcomb eight for 66 yards.
Carter made good on all three PATs, finishing the season perfect, 38 for 38.
Caledonia runs a flex bone triple option offense, something Kosciusko had not seen. “It was a tough matchup for us not seeing it,” Orr said. “You can practice it all week and you know what to expect. But you can't simulate how fast it's going to happen. I think it took us a drive or two to get acclimated to it. Once we did, we played it a whole lot better.”
Kosciusko finishes 6-3. The Whippets were third in Region 4-4A with a 3-2 record, trailing West Lauderdale (5-0) and defending 4A state champion Louisville (4-1) and had to go on the road to play the second place team from 1-4A.
West Lauderdale and Louisville won their opening round games. The Knights defeated Mooreville 72-15 and the Wildcats downs Shannon 37-12.
Caledonia improved to 10-1 and will play Senatobia in the second round Friday.
In his second year as Kosciusko coach, Orr said there are a lot of positives to the season. “We took a step in the right direction.” But he added, “I thought we were a better football team than a first round exit.”
Kosciusko receiver Keonte Williams picks up good yardage after a reception.
Jeff Parks / The Star-Herald
Looking ahead to 2022, Orr noted that a lot of sophomores started this year. “I think that bodes well for the future.”
Wood is one of the seniors who will depart. He will be replaced at quarterback by sophomore Caden Greer.
“We're excited about seeing his progress the next few years,” Orr said. “He has a lot of potential. He's mobile, but he also throws the ball well.”
