Eighth-grader’s touchdown helps send George County flag to Jackson
George County’s season will continue in Jackson, thanks to an eighth-grade receiver.
Kourtney Papania broke a scoreless tie in the second half of Monday’s first round playoff win at Biloxi when she took a short 3rd-and-long pass from Lani McDoniel 20 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in what would be a 7-6 win.
“I just saw green grass and ran,” Papania said.
When the Indians responded later in the half, Olivia Tanner picked off the point-after try to seal the win over the Region 8 champions.
George County entered the game as the highest-scoring team on the Mississippi Coast, but were stifled by a Biloxi team that has thrived in low-scoring games.
The Rebels stuck to their plan until finally hitting a big play with their rising star.
“We love to have her,” McDoniel said. “She really stepped up. She can fly. She’s a track star, too.”
Both of South Mississippi’s region champs were sent home in the opening round of the postseason by the reigning state champions and the reigning runner-ups after St. Martin took down Pascagoula, Thursday.
George County reached the final round in last year’s pilot season but now face a pool of teams in Jackson that the Rebels haven’t seen.
“We’re excited, we’re confident,” coach Lane Scott said. “We know we can get it done. We just have to go out there and execute on Saturday.”
Biloxi’s season ends after a stellar campaign and a district title for the school’s first flag football team, that included handing St. Martin its only loss of the season so far.
The Indians’ lone score Monday was a short touchdown toss from Taylor Hannah to Madison Price.
George County and St. Martin will play in a one-day tournament at Mississippi College on May 9 to determine the new state champion.
