West Jones' defense comes up with six interceptions in 42-12 win over Natchez

LAUREL — The Natchez Bulldogs had two weeks to get ready for West Jones. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they picked the wrong night to visit the home-standing

LAUREL — The Natchez Bulldogs had two weeks to get ready for West Jones.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they picked the wrong night to visit the home-standing Mustangs.

The West Jones defense celebrated the Mustangs’ Homecoming game in grand fashion as they came with six interceptions here Friday night, leading to a 42-12 Region 3-5A victory.

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“We really played pretty well, especially coming off a tough loss last week,” said veteran West Jones head football coach Scott Pierson. 

The Mustangs (5-1) swiped three passes in the second quarter that led immediately to three West Jones touchdowns and a 28-6 halftime lead on a wet night in South Mississippi. The game was delayed by 80 minutes because of lightning and a thunderstorm in the area, but the Mustangs’ wait was over two hours because of the pre-game activities.

“I thought we handled the delay and weather pretty well," Pierson said. "The two fumbles we lost might have been caused by the wet conditions, but again, we played well considering all the factors."

The Mustangs scored on their first possession of the game marching 68 yards in seven plays to score on an Allan Follis run of 15 yards at the 5:39 mark in the opening quarter. Joseph Hernandez hit on the first of his six kick conversions on the night. 

On the Mustangs’ following offensive possession, they fumbled the ball at their own 26-yard line. The visiting Bulldogs made the Mustangs pay for the turnover as they connected on a third-down screen pass from Liondell Minor to Mike Williams that was good for 33 yards and a TD with 2:51 to play in the opening period. The pass play on the 2-point conversion play failed, leaving West Jones ahead, 7-6, after after the first quarter. 

Dedric Hicks of West Jones intercepted a Natchez pass at the Bulldogs 15-yard line to start the scoring onslaught in the second period.

Three plays after the interception, Follis struck again — this time on a 1-yard run only six seconds into the quarter. Antwoine Gavin’s interception led to the third Mustang touchdown of the night, as he returned it 40 yards to the Natchez 22-yard line. Three plays later, Kentrel Pruitt found the end zone from 9 yards out to up the lead to 21-6 at the 9:55 mark of the opening half. 

The second interception of the second period by Kendorean Russell set the Mustangs up at their 45-yard line. The Mustangs stuck to the ground game and moved 55 yards in only six plays. Joshua McDonald finished off the scoring drive with a run of six yards at the 3:49 mark of the first half. 

The Mustangs scored on the opening drive of the second half going 67 yards in four plays to score on a Follis run of 2 yards in only 89 seconds. McDonald scored the final touchdown on the opening play of the fourth period on a 5-yard run. Natchez ended the scoring at the 7:59 mark of the game on a 54-yard pass from Minor to Williams. 

Colin Maggard also grabbed two interceptions in the game for West Jones while Cedric Bender swiped a Bulldog pass. 

“We really played at a high level tonight, and I would say for the first time this year we really dominated the line scrimmage on offense, and that was good to see. It is easier to run the ball when you have blocking,” stated Pierson. 

The Mustangs are scheduled to host South Jones in another Region 3-5A contest next Friday night. The game was originally to be played on October 2 but was rescheduled because the Mustangs were quarantined during that week. Natchez (2-3, 1-1) will host Brookhaven.

-- Dale McKee