LowcoSports.com
When asked to zero in on anything about the Ridgeland Jaguars that worried him ahead of Friday’s matchup of unbeaten teams, Whale Branch senior Darrell Cummings said he couldn’t really come up with anything — not because he didn’t respect the Jags, but simply because he had faith his Warriors were the better team.
After a competitive first half, Cummings and the Warriors proved it, pulling away for a 44-18 win behind a strong defense and a destructive ground game. Cummings rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, taking trips of 66 and 70 yards en route to the end zone. KJ Chisholm added 86 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries, and Bradford Thompson and Jayvion Harris each found the end zone on the ground for Whale Branch.
Thompson opened the scoring after a sustained Whale Branch drive, but the Jags answered with Maurice Brown and Wenson Smith carrying the load before Smith bounced outside for a touchdown run to cut it to 8-6. The Jags made a goal-line stand led by Jeremy Givens and Kam-Ren Wrice, then took the lead when Brown found Smith up the right sideline for a 95-yard touchdown and a 12-8 advantage.
Cummings provided a counter punch on the next play from scrimmage, going the distance to put the Warriors back on top, and Chisholm scored to cash in a takeaway and make it 22-12 at halftime. Then it was Cummings again, bolting away from the defense on the first offensive play of the second half, and the Warriors followed suit, easing away from Ridgeland.
Harris racked up 10 tackles, three for loss, and Alonzo Allen added nine tackles with a sack, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup to lead the Whale Branch defense.
The Warriors (2-0) host Baptist Hill on Friday.
