Neshoba Central wraps up regular season with Callaway win

Neshoba Central Rockets wrapped up their regular season with a 21-13 win over Callaway on Friday night at the north Jackson field.

The Rockets, now 7-3 on the season, will be open this week. They will enter the state playoffs on Friday, November 11th , at home against as opponent to be determined, most likely Columbus.

Coach Patrick Schoolar said  the Rockets would use the week off to fine tune for the playoffs.

“We won’t practice as long as we usually do but we will be fixing some little things and trying to get better,” Schoolar said.

Callaway returned the opening kickoff 85 yards to go up 7-0. At the beginning of the second quarter, they scored again when they recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Chargers led 13-0 with 11:42 left in the second quarter.

The Rockets responded when Elijah Ruffin intercepted a pass on the 18 and three plays later, scored on a 5 yard run. John Parker Hancock kicked the extra point. Callaway led 13-7 with 6:07 left in the quarter.

Ruffin intercepted another pass to give the Rockets possession on the 49. Four plays later Mehki Gaddis scored on a 5 yard run. Hancock kicked the extra point, and the Rockets led 14-13 with 1:59 left in the half.

The Rockets struck again when Ruffin scored on a 9 yard run.  Handcock’s kick was good and the Rockets led 21-13 with 5:34 left in the third quarter. That ended the scoring for the game.

The Rockets had 13 first downs and 242 total yards. Neshoba Central rushed for 177 yards on 45 carries and completed 4 of 6 passing attempts for 65 yards.

Callaway rushed for 87 yards on 27 attempts and completed 4 of 10 passing attempts for 24 yards, giving the Chargers 111 total yards. Callaway finished with 8 first downs.

Gaddis was the leading rusher with 120 yards. Ruffin had 12 yards rushing, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Stevenson rush for 28 yards and caught two passes for 49 yards.