The West Point Green Wave overcame a resilient Gautier Gators team, winning 28-21 to capture their 13th state football title on Friday night at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg.
Despite a strong start by Gautier in the Class 5A title game, West Point’s championship experience and timely plays were too much to overcome for the Gators.
The game opened with a quick jolt of energy from Gautier, which was in its first state championship contest.
On the Gators’ first possession, running back Latrell Pouge burst through for a 10-yard touchdown, giving Gautier a 7-0 lead.
West Point, known for its powerful offense, struggled to get going in the early minutes.
Gautier’s defense stood firm, forcing the Green Wave to turn the ball over on downs near midfield. The Gators had a shot at a 10-point advantage but missed a field goal.
Momentum quickly shifted to the Green Wave (11-3) as they capitalized on a turnover to tie the game at 7.
Then West Point’s Jamicheal Forest intercepted a Trey Irving pass and the defending champions took advantage immediately.
A 70-yard run by Quintin Thompson set the Green Wave up at the Gators 7-yard line, and they punched it in with a 2-yard touchdown run to take a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.
The Gators’ woes continued in the second quarter when a fumble allowed West Point to extend its lead. The Green Wave capitalized on the turnover with a methodical drive that chewed up the clock.
Shamane Clark capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, pushing West Point’s lead to 21-7 with just under six minutes remaining in the first half.
Despite the turnovers, Gautier remained dangerous but West Point went into halftime with a 14-point lead.
West Point received the ball to start the second half, opening with an eight-minute drive that ate up most of the third quarter. The drive culminated in a fourth-and-goal conversion, with West Point scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run to take a commanding 28-7 lead.
But Gautier wasn’t ready to go down without a fight. The Gators answered with a touchdown of their own, as Irving connected with Kainen Rush on a 45-yard pass on fourth-and-5, cutting West Point’s lead to 28-14 with 1:25 left in the third quarter.
With the Gators offense finding some rhythm, their defense stepped up next, forcing a punt to give Gautier another chance with seven minutes remaining in the game.
However, West Point’s defense held strong, stopping Gautier on fourth down with just over four minutes left. The Green Wave regained possession and milked the clock.
Gautier wasn’t finished, though, as running back Kaison Thomas broke through for a touchdown in the final minute, making it 28-21. With only 19 seconds left, Gautier attempted an onside kick, but West Point recovered, sealing the victory.
The Gators finished their dream season with a 12-2 record that included their first South State championship.
Gautier coach Marc High expressed immense pride in his team’s effort against West Point.
“Turnovers early were the difference,” said High. “There is a reason they just won their 13th state championship. That’s a good football team over there. But I’m proud of how our guys fought until the end.”
