By Darron Thomas, Southern Sports & Travel
With the win the Simpson Cougars claimed the district 3AA championship and will enjoy an idle week before hosting a round one playoff opponent.
While the 27 point margin of victory left little doubt as to how dominant the Cougar’s performance was, the contest didn’t start the way they had hoped. Lamar took the opening possession of the game and marched 78 yards in 9 plays in just over three minutes and scored on a Witt Haggard to Bo Bidgood 25 yard touchdown strike. Tyler Roberts would add the PAT as the Raiders took an early 7-0 lead.
(Above) Simpson's Kyle Munn (#4) rushed for 333 yards and 6 tds.
The hush that took over the home-standing crowd after the Raider’s touchdown drive was one of uncertainty with what might be to come. That hush was quickly replaced by cheers as Simpson answered with a 76 yard 12 play drive that was capped off by a 7 yard touchdown run up the middle by Kyle Munn with three minutes left in the opening quarter. Justin Griffin’s PAT quickly tied things up at 7-7.
Lamar would be stifled on their next possession as they started from their own 17 yard line after the Simpson kick-off. The Raiders had moved out to the 44 yard line following an 11 yard run by Witt Haggard only to have a 56 yard touchdown pass from Haggard to Michael Marcello called back on a penalty the next play. A holding penalty pushed the Raiders further back as the first quarter ended tied at 7-7.
Following an incomplete pass from Haggard to open the second quarter the Raiders punted to the Simpson 20 yard line. Kyle Munn carried twice for 11 yards followed by a Cade Eiland 1 yard gain that set up a 2nd and 9 from the Cougar’s 32 yard line. Senior Kyle Munn then broke off the left side for a 68 yard jaunt to put Simpson up for the first time of the night. Griffin’s PAT put Simpson on top 14-7 with 9:39 left in the half.
(Above) Kyle Munn (#4) and Cade Eiland (#2) combined for 487 yards rushing.
The game began to look like a classic back and forth battle as Lamar went 80 yards in just over three minutes to tie things up. Witt Haggard scrambled on a 1st down play and hit wide-out Jamie Thompson for 24 yards to knot the game up at 14-14. Simpson showed little panic as they methodically plowed 65 yards behind eight Kyle Munn carries and forged back ahead 21-14 when Munn went in from 1 yard out with 1:22 left in the half.
Lamar was on course to tie the game once again before the half. Witt Haggard ran 63 yards on the first play after the Simpson kickoff to put the Raiders in striking range at the Cougar 17 yard line with just over a minute left. But three incomplete passes later forced Lamar to attempt to convert on a 4th and 10 with 29 seconds left in the half. Witt Haggard’s keeper came up one yard short as the Simpson defense held and the Cougars took over to run out the clock and take a 21-14 lead in the locker-room.
The second half was in total contrast to the first as Simpson totally dominated. Kyle Munn scored his fourth touchdown of the night on 27 yard scamper with 7:15 left in the third quarter to put the Cougars up 28-14. Lamar showed early signs in the quarter of hanging around when they took their opening possession and scored in just four plays. Lamar went 75 yards in only 1:09 seconds. Michael Marcello went in from ten yards out to cut the deficit back to a 7 point game at 28-21 with 5:59 left in the quarter.
(Above) Lamar's Witt Haggard (#7) rushed for 176 yards on 19 carries.Following an unsuccessful onside attempt from Lamar, tailback Cade Eiland would take a 40 yard run to the house with just over five minutes left in the quarter to put the Cougars up 34-21.
Lamar was stopped on a 4th and 3 at the Simpson 40 yard line on their following possession to end the quarter. Each team traded possessions to start the fourth quarter. Simpson cashed in again on a 50 yard drive that was capped off by a Kyle Munn 5 yard run with 8:17 left in the game. Justin Griffin’s PAT made it 41-21 as the crowd started to sense the outcome had been sealed.
The final score of the night came when Kyle Munn collected his sixth touchdown when he went in from two yards out at the five minute mark to put Simpson up 48-21.
(Above) Simpson kicker Justin Griffin (#11) prepares for a PAT attempt.
Kyle Munn ran for 333 yards on 37 carries and 6 touchdowns on the night. “Kyle has been banged up a lot this season but he’s been healthy the last three weeks” said Simpson head coach Billy Hankins. On the 514 rushing yards his team netted Hankins said “Going into the season we knew our offensive line would be the strongpoint of our team and they’re playing well.” On the defensive side of the ball Simpson limited Lamar’s Witt Haggard to 160 yards passing but the senior rushed for 176 yards on 19 carries. “Haggard ran well tonight, he is the best quarterback that I’ve seen in a long time” said Hankins. “I’d have to credit coaches Mitch Mitchell and Winston Mullins for a great game plan tonight.”
Simpson sophomore tailback Cade Eiland rushed for 154 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown on the night as the Cougars out-gained Lamar 514-411 in total yards.
Lamar sophomore Michael Marcello picked up 51 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.
The Cougars finish the regular season at 9-1 & 4-0 and have vaulted to the #2 spot in the newest Southern Sports & Travel Top Ten poll.
Lamar falls to 8-1 & 2-1 and will host Leake in an all important district game to determine the district runners-up. Lamar slipped to #5 in the top ten poll.
The win not only means Simpson captured the district 3AA title but they will host a round one playoff game in two weeks. For whomever their opponent will be they’ll find that playing in Mendenhall on a Friday night is no easy task.
(Above) Great atmosphere on both sides as shown from a Lamar fan.
