Rockets savor win, prepping for region play

The Neshoba Central Rockets celebrated homecoming with a 28-13 victory over Canton Friday night in prep football action.

After playing a tough non-region schedule, the Rockets improved to 1-4. Neshoba Central will be open this week and then will open their Region 2-6A schedule October 6 against the Vicksburg Gators.

“It was good to get a win,” Rockets coach Patrick Schoolar said. “I hope these games have prepared us for our region schedule. We have come out of that gauntlet healthy. We will practice this week but we are going to limit our contact. We have some things we need to clean up and try to get better at.”            

Kendarious McCune intercepted a Canton pass to set up the first Rocket score, putting the ball on Canton 11-yard line. Two plays later, Mehki Gaddis scored on a 5-yard run. John Parker Hancock kicked the extra point and Neshoba Central led 7-0 with 7:02 left in the first quarter.

On Neshoba Central’s next possession. Quarterback Will Williams connected with Alandrick Hathorne on 32-yard touchdown pass. Hancock’s kick was good and the Rockets led 14-0 with 5:10 left in the first quarter.

That’s how it stood until right before the half when Canton scored on a 1-yard run, capping a 14-play, 44-yard drive. The kick was blocked and the Rockets led 14-6 at the half.

On the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, Canton snapped the ball over the quarterback’s head. Bryson Smith recovered the ball for the Rockets and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown. Hancock’s kick was good and the Rockets led 21-6 with 11:45 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Williams completed a 46-yard TD pass to Bryceton Thompson with 10:50 left in the game. Hancock kicked the extra point.

Late in the game, Canton scored on a five-run. The kick was good to end the scoring.

The Rockets finished with 110 rushing yards and 143cpassing yards. Williams completed 9-of-19 passes with two going for touchdowns. Denterrious Loggins had five rushes for 50 yards while Gaddis had nine rushes for 31 yards and one touchdown. Hathorne had three catches for 49 yards and one touchdown. Thompson had one catch for 46 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Zach Ruffin had  nine tackles. LaDavis Clancy had 10 tackles and a sack. Smith had 10 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Gary Jim had 14 tackles. Ahmarion Ragsdale had 12 tackles. JonKylar Stribling had  four tackles. Bo Hopson had six tackles and two quarterback hurries.