Kosciusko took the lead just before halftime and pulled away with two fourth-quarter touchdowns for a 35-20 victory over Leake Central.
A long pass from Ethan Wood to Davion Roby in the final minute of the half set by a one-year TD run by Javen Mallet to give the Whippets a 21-20 lead. It remained that way until the fourth quarter when Kosciusko stretched the lead with two TD runs by Ceavon Toliver.
“It was important that we had the lead heading into halftime,” Coach Casey Orr said. “But I think the key is that we decided to start playing. In the first half we just kind of went through the motions. Then in the second half we started to play our style of football. I was glad to see it.”
The defense in particular picked up after intermission, holding Leake Central off the scoreboard the final two quarters. Orr said linebackers Thomas Olive and Eli Kemp and lineman Tavion Clayton led the defensive effort.
Olive had a team-high 10 tackles, two for losses. Kemp was credited with eight tackles inducing a sack.
Wood and Toliver led a balanced offense that totaled 378 yards. Wood completed 12 of 21 passes for 208 yards. Toliver toted the pigskin 25 times for 158 yards and was on the receiving end of four passes from Wood for 70 yards. Jerremy Whitcomb had four receptions for 82 yards and Roby four for 65 yards.
Orr also gave credit to the offensive line for its play during the two fourth quarter scoring drives.
Kosciusko's first two TDs came on a run by Jatavious Noel and a 22-yard pass from Wood to Deondre Riley. Noel finished with nine carries for 41 yards.
Kosciusko is 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Region 4-4A, tied for second with defending 4A state champion Louisville. West Lauderdale is first with a 3-0 mark after a 36-35 overtime victory over Louisville.
Kosciusko will conclude the regular season Thursday, Oct. 28, with a home game against Louisville that will probably determine if the Whippets open the playoffs at home or on the road. But first, Louisville will entertain Northeast Lauderdale Friday. Northeast is 1-7 and winless in three region games.
Orr's concern is that his team seems to play down to the level of the opponent, including the first half against Leake Central. “The biggest thing for us to is play to our level no matter who we are playing.”
Northeast is led by sophomore running back Aaronyuoun Johnson, with 110 carries for 783 yards and two TDs. Quindrius Simpson, a junior, has 55 carries for 288 yards and four scores. The Trojans are averaging 166 yards on the ground but only 31 through the air.
Wood returned to the lineup after missing a loss to West Lauderdale with an injury a week earlier. “He had some big completions to keep drives going,” Orr said. “We're glad to have him back.”
But injuries remain a problem, including Lee Wade, a two-way standout with a penchant for the big play. He went down during the West Lauderdale game and his status for the remainder of the season is questionable.
The 4A playoffs begin Nov. 5 with teams from 4-4A playing opponents from 1-4A in Northeast Mississippi. Caledonia, Itawamba AHS and Shannon are the top teams in 1-4A.
