Southern Sports & Travel

Different venue same result, Cougars roll to crown

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

Harper Davis Field on the campus of Millsaps College was the backdrop for the 2011 Class AA State Championship yesterday in Jackson and the Simpson Cougars took center stage as they reeled off 29 straight points after falling behind early to win their fourth Class AA state title in the past nine years with a 29-15 win over defending champion River Oaks before a jam packed Simpson fan base.

Simpson tailback Cade Eiland recorded his second consecutive 200+ yard rushing game in leading the Cougars to a perfect 14-0 season and the school’s fifth state title overall.

(Above) Simpson quarterback Brandon Johnston surveys the River Oaks defense

River Oaks displayed why they were the defending state champions as the Mustangs took the opening kick-off and put together an impressive 66 yard, 12 play drive that was capped on a picture perfect 22 yard pitch and catch from quarterback Ryan MacGregor to wide-out Walker Thurmond in the corner of the endzone. Jacob Little added the PAT and with 6:57 remaining in the opening quarter River Oaks took an early 7-0 lead.

Like a heavyweight prizefight Simpson answered back. Setting up shop at their own 34 yard line the Cougars demonstrated the style of physical football that earned them a spot in the title game. Three consecutive Cade Eiland carries moved the Cougars to the Simpson 49 yard line. Eiland then barreled off right guard for a 28 yard pick-up down the Mustang 23. Two plays later Eiland exploded for a 21 yard touchdown jaunt at the 4:04 mark of the 1^st quarter. Robert Berry’s PAT attempt went wide left leaving Simpson on the short end of a 7-6 score.

(Above) Simpson tailback Garrett Taylor (#5) follows the blocking of Hunter Thompson (#75)

Simpson would take the lead midway through the 2^nd quarter on a 6 yard touchdown run by Cade Eiland that finished off an 11 play, 70 yard drive that took up nearly six minutes. Eiland’s 2 point conversion attempt was stuffed by River Oaks but the Cougars were on top 12-7 with 8:07 remaining in the half.

On River Oak’s ensuing possession the Mustangs did what they could least afford to do as a mishandled hand off resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Simpson defensive back Garrett Taylor at the Mustang 29 yard line.

Three plays later staring at a 3^rd and 9 from the River Oaks 27 yard line Simpson quarterback Brandon Johnston dropped to pass but was quickly forced from the pocket. The senior went around the right side where he dodged and bowled over River Oaks defenders on his way to a 27 yard touchdown scamper that created a deafening eruption from the Simpson crowd. Robert Berry added the PAT to give the Cougars a 19-7 advantage that they would take into the locker-room at the half.

(Above) Simpson defensive end Shane Brown about to sack River Oaks QB Ryan MacGregor

Simpson added to their lead to open the second half as the Cougars drove 52 yards to the River Oaks 18 yard line before stalling out on the opening possession. Robert Berry would nail a 35 yard field goal at the 9:13 mark to increase the Simpson lead to 22-7.

Simpson took the 22-7 lead into the final quarter but River Oaks had one last offensive thrust left in them. The Mustangs put together a 13 play drive that started on their own 38 yard line just before the 3^rd quarter expired but two crucial mistakes proved costly inside the redzone. Advancing to the Simpson 5 yard the Mustangs had a 1^st and goal but a fumble that resulted in a two yard loss and a critical motion penalty created a 4^th and goal from the 6 yard line. Ryan MacGregor’s pass attempt into the endzone fell short and Simpson would capitalize with a 94 yard drive on the legs of tailback Cade Eiland to ice the contest.

Eiland rushed for 78 yards on the drive and set up the Cougar offense at the River Oaks 9 yard line where, two plays later, junior tailback Michael Layton (Photo above) went in from 6 yards out. Robert Berry’s PAT gave Simpson a 29-7 lead with 4:02 left in the contest.

River Oaks would close out on a Brendan MacGregor 24 yard touchdown pass to Walker Thurmond with 21 seconds remaining.

Simpson was led by Cade Eiland who rushed for 213 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns on the night. Brandon Johnston rushed for 55 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown and picked up 54 yards passing.

Defensively junior defensive lineman Shane Brown recorded 6 tackles, a sack and a pass deflection to lead Simpson while senior defensive back Garrett Taylor had 5 tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack.

River Oaks finishes their 2011 campaign with a 10-4 mark.