Kosciusko's football season came to a sad end with a 17-16 loss to Senatobia in the opening round of the MHSAA 4A playoff. The Whippets were in position to pull out a victory inside the Senatobia 10 in the final minute, but turned the ball over on a fumble.
“It was heartbreaking with what was on the line,” said coach Casey Orr. “With a chance to keep your season going, it's a hard way to lose.”
Senatobia scored on its opening possession, led 7-0 at the half and stretched the lead to 10-0 with a field goal early in the third quarter. The Whippets cut the deficit to 10-7 on a pass from Caden Greer to Lee Wade, then made it 10-9 on safety after a punt by Jon Gant pinned the Warriors at their own two yard line.
Kosciusko took its only lead at 16-10 on a quarterback sneak by Greer, set up on a 49-yard pass from Greer to Tyran Mosley.
Senatobia went back ahead 17-16 on a swing pass to running back Julien Tabor. “We had guys there, but the kid made a play,” Orr said.
That set the stage for the heartbreaking ending. “We gave ourselves a chance. It's one of those things that happens, but you hate to see it happen right then.”
The Whippets had 299 yards of offense, 244 provided by Greer. He completed 17 of 28 passes for 151 yards and carried 28 times for 81 yards. Wade had 10 receptions for 79 yards, Thomas Olive eight carries for 55 yards.
On defense, Wade had six tackles and an interception, Javen Mallett eight tackles, with two for losses, a sack and a fumble recovery and Reggie Carter had three tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Orr said the teams were very similar. “It just came down to who made the most plays and they made one more than we did.”
Kosciusko finishes 7-4. The Whippets qualified for the playoffs by finishing third behind Louisville and West Lauderdale in Region 4-4A with a 3-2 record.
Senatobia earned home field as the second place team in 3-4A. The Warriors (8-3) will play unbeaten Itawamba AHS Friday.
For Kosciusko it was a year when the Whippets had only two home games and had to use a makeshift practice field most of the season while the new turf was installed on their field.
“I was pleased with our guys. They overcame a lot of adversity. They were resilient all year,” Orr said. “There was a lot to be proud of, especially considering all the new faces. I think it was a good year.”
The Whippets will hit the weight room during the off season. “We want to get bigger, faster and stronger.”
Orr mentioned three freshmen who contributed this year and will be counted on in the future. Keith Lay is a receiver and outside linebacker, Richard Kern an offensive lineman and J.T. Herron a running back who played on special teams.
Kosciusko and Louisville will move to 3-4A next year under MHSAA redistricting, but the rest of the region will be new for the Whippets. All five teams are in the playoffs. Louisville won 4-4A, Houston won 2-1A, Caledonia was second in 1-2A and Greenwood fourth in 3-4A.
“It's some good competition for sure,” Orr said.
