Leake Rebels use record-setting effort to advance

The Leake Academy offense continued its late-season prowess with a record-setting performance on Friday night.

Leake got 545 yards passing and nine touchdowns from George Wilcox as the Rebels beat homestanding Silliman 62-36 in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. 

Leake improved to 5-6 on the season and will travel to Starkville Academy on Friday night for second-round action. 

The nine TD passes was second in Mississippi history and most for any MAIS player. The 545 yards passing is short of the MAIS record of 593 yards.

“It was just one of those nights where we were able to hit some big passes,” Leake coach Brian Pickens said. “We felt like we could throw the ball on them and George had a good night and didn’t miss the wide open receivers. I thought the line blocked really well and we made them pay when they left receivers open. Our defense came on and played really well in the second and third quarters. They got some stops and allowed us to get the lead and get them out of their game. I’m proud of this team and how they bounced back from last week and continue to play and work hard.”

Silliman got the ball to start the game and marched down the field on the Leake defense and scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass. The try for two was good and Silliman led 8-0.

Leake responded with a 10-play, 70-yard drive as Wilcox hit Ben Jackson on a 6-yard touchdown pass with 3:54 left in the first quarter. Matthew Nowell’s PAT was good and Silliman held an 8-7 lead.

Silliman answered with another long scoring drive and found the end zone on a 1-yard run with 1:13 left in the first quarter. The PAT was good and Silliman led 15-7.

Leake responded with a quick score as Wilcox hit Nowell on a 63-yard touchdown pass with 58.5 seconds left in the first quarter. Nowell’s PAT was good and Silliman led 15-14 at the end of the first quarter.

The Wildcats again drove down the field on the Rebels and scored on a 9-yard run with 8:49 left in the second quarter. The PAT was good and Silliman led 22-14.

Leake answered with another quick score as Wilcox hit Nowell on a 58-yard touchdown pass. Nowell hit the PAT and Silliman led 22-21.

Leake took its first lead of the game as Wilcox hit Nowell on a 3-yard  touchdown pass with 3:50 left in the half. Nowell’s PAT was good and Leake led 28-21. 

Leake got the ball back late in the half but were pinned deep. But Wilcox hit Weaver on a short crossing pass that turned into a 93-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 left in the half. The PAT was good and Leake led 35-22.

Leake got the ball right back on an interception by Nowell. Leake drove to the Silliman 1 and scored on a 1-yard pass from Wilcox to Majure Chandler with 1.5 seconds left in the half. The PAT was good and Leake led 42-22 at the half.

“We made some changes on defense in the second quarter and were able to get some stops,” Pickens said. “We felt like if we could get a couple of stops, our offense would get the lead and we could get them out of their game on offense. We were able to hit some big plays at the end of the half and get that lead.”

Leake continued to offensive onslaught in the third quarter as they added two more touchdowns as Wilcox hit Jackson on touchdown passes of 25 and 43 yards as the Rebels led 55-22 going to the fourth.

Silliman scored twice to start the fourth to cut the score to 55-36 before Leake finished with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Jackson with 5:41 left in the game. 

Leake had 545 yards passing and 53 rushing for 598 yards of total offense.

Wilcox was 20-of-34 passing for a career high 545 yards with nine TDs. Nowell led the team with seven catches for 197 yards and three TDs while Jackson had a career night with six catches for 162 yards and four TDs. 

Leake will make another trip to Starkville Academy to take on the Volunteers in second-round playoff action.