Warriors hold off Gators for playoff spot

The Choctaw Central Warriors punched their ticket for the Class 4A state playoffs Friday night when they defeated Leake Central 36-27 in a key Region 4-4A contest.

This is the second year in a row Choctaw Central has made the playoffs. They enter as the fourth-place team in the region and will travel to play Itawamba AHS this Friday. Itawamba comes in with a 9-1 record.

The Warriors went up 21-6 at the half. Leake Central struck first on a 15-yard run by the Gator quarterback. The 2-point conversion failed and the Gators led 6-0.

The Warriors responded when quarterback Eli Joe connected with Gage Lewis on a 4-yard TD pass play. Kashton Grisham kicked the extra point and the Warriors led 7-6.

Later, Joe scored on a 3-yard run. Again, Grisham kicked the extra point and the Warriors led 14-6.

Jeriah Jimmie scored on a 49-yard TD run. Grisham’s kick was good and the Warriors led 21-6 at the half.

Leake Central came out and scored twice to start the third quarter. The Warriors saw their lead dwindle to 21-20.

“They came back to pull within 1 point of our lead,” Coach Pepper Posey said. “But no one panicked. They just kept playing and took care of business.”

Joe scored again, this time on a 4-yard run. Jimmie scored the 2-point conversion and the Warriors led 29-20.

Leake Central cut into the Warrior lead again, this time on a 63-yard run. The kick was good and Choctaw Central led 29-27.

Choctaw Central put together a long drive that ate up the clock. Brydon Wesley scored a touchdown on a 10-yard run. The 2-point conversion was good and the Warriors took the win.

“This was a great win for our team,” Posey said. “Our kids have done a great job getting ready. And our assistant coaches have worked hard to get them ready.”