Sports

Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Tigers pound Gautier to capture 4-5A title

GAUTIER — Moss Point’s balanced offense turned its Region 4-5A championship contest against Gautier into a rout.

Running back Byron James rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Tigers to a surprisingly 27-0 rout on Friday night at Gautier Stadium.

Moss Point (9-2 overall, 6-0 Region 4-5A) entertains Brookhaven in a first-round 5A playoff game next week at Dantzler Stadium. Gautier will play host to Wayne County.

“Our kids came out and jumped on Gautier early,’’ Tigers coach Lewis Sims said. “On a championship night, this is what you have to do.’’

The Tigers bolted out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter as James scored on runs of 10 and 3 yards.

“The offensive played great and opened up the holes,” James said. “The defense forced turnovers. That was a total team effort.”

Moss Point turned to its passing attack in the second quarter.

Quarterback Joe Kirkland threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to running back Reginald Matthews, as the Tigers led 20-0 at halftime.

A illegal procedure penalty negated Kirkland’s 58-yard TD strike just as the first half ended. Kirkland finished with 206 yards passing and a TD.

“Joe Kirkland did a great job running the team and throwing the ball,” Sims said.

The Tigers scored the only points in the second half on Joseph Snell’s 70-yard TD run.

Moss Point finished with 446 yards of total offense, including 236 yards rushing.

“It’s nice to have options with those three running backs and Kirkland,” Sims said.

The Tigers’ defense, led by linebacker Keith Barkley’s three quarterback sacks, shutdown Gautier (7-4, 4-2). Gautier had only 143 total yards.

“Moss Point outmanned us on both sides of the ball,” Gators coach Arlton Hudson said. “They have a good team.”