Special teams mistakes and missed scoring opportunities by McAdams resulted in a 22-16 loss to West Tallahatchie.
The Choctaws returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and scored after blocking a punt in racing out to a 22-0 lead in the first half. The Bulldogs made it 22-8 at the half when Jalen Greer ran for a touchdown and Ed Stewart followed with a two-point run.
McAdams put together two third-quarter drives, the first one into the red zone and the second inside the West Tallhatachie five, but came up empty both times.
Stewart returned a fumble recovery for a TD and and Triniko Brown added the two-point conversion to make it 22-16 in the fourth quarter.
After the Bulldogs stopped West Tallahatchie in the red zone, McAdams neared midfield. But after quarterback Jamar Teague went out with an injury, a final minute interception ended the Bulldogs last chance.
McAdams fell to 1-8 (1-5 in Region 2-1A), but Coach Kenneth Nelson remains upbeat about a young team.
“I like their enthusiasm. They're still fighting. They understand that it is a process. They understand that their best games are still ahead of then. Their best years are still ahead of them,” said Nelson.
Sophomore cornerback Jamyran Cross was a standout on defense, coming up from the secondary to make key tackles, especially on some fourth down situations when the Bulldogs were able to stop the Choctaws.
Greer and Stewart also played well, Nelson said.
McAdams will conclude the season Thursday at McEvans in Shaw. The Hawks are 8-2 overall and 5-1 in region play. It is their size that impresses Nelson.
“They're the biggest team in the region. They're huge,” he said.
McEvans has a powerful running game, led by Omarion Blake and Dwight Phillips, and is coming off a 56-0 win over Coldwater.
With one week left in the season, Simmons will finish first in 2-1A, McEvans second, and South Delta third. West Tallahatchie and Coffeeville play Thursday for the final playoff spot.
