Stan Caldwell

Final, West Point 28, Gautier 21. Gators score on a 5-yard run with 19 seconds left to play. But Green Wave recover the onside kick to seal the win.

We just had our first punt of the game, and, of course, West Point delivers a perfect pooch punt to pin Gautier at their own 2-yard-line.

End 3rd quarter, West Point 28, Gautier 14. Green Wave have the ball 3rd-&-4 from their own 46.

Gautier scores on a 46-yard pass from Trey Irving to Kainan Rush, converting a 4th-&-6 near midfield. This was a score the Gators absolutely had to have.

What a backbreaker for Gautier. West Point takes opening kickoff in 2nd half and drives 70 yards on 14 plays, all runs, using up nearly 8 minutes off the clock. Shamane Clark scores his 3rd TD on a 1-yard run on 4th down.

Clark has 137 yards on 14 carries to lead West Point. Irving has completed 6 of 9 passes for 94 yards for Gautier, but he's been sacked three times for 19 yards in losses.

Halftime, West Point 21, Gautier 7. Gators drive to a 1st-&-goal at the West Point 5 in the final minute of the half, but come away empty after Irving is sacked on 4th down.

West Point's Jamichael Forest adds an interception, on the first play after the kickoff, to his earlier fumble recovery, returns the pick to the Gautier 18, and two plays later Clark rambles in from 9 yards out. Green Wave lead 21-7.

That should say 84 yards, not 94.

West Point takes Gautier fumble 94 yards on 15 plays, using up 7:07, getting the touchdown on a 1-yard run by Shamane Clark. Green Wave leads 14-7 with 5:05 to play 2nd quarter.

End 1st quarter, Gautier 7, West Point 7. Green Wave face a 3rd-&-5 from their own 21 after recovering a fumble at the 16.

After Gautier missed a FG, West Point drives 80 yards in 5 plays for a tying touchdown. Big play was a 69-yard run by Shamane Clark, score on a 2-yard run by Quintin Thompson.

Gautier takes opening kickoff and drives 69 yards in just five plays and less than 2 minutes, scoring on an 11-yard run by Latrell Pogue.

Kickoff in the Class 5A Championship Game scheduled for 8 p.m., after the 1A final between Baldwyn and Simmons ran long.

This is the first time Gautier has been to the state finals since the school opened in 1997. West Point is back in the finals for the 19th time and will be defending their title from last season.

This will be my only visit to M.M. Roberts this weekend for the MHSAA State Football Championships, where I'm working the Class 5A final between Gautier (12-1) and West Point (10-3).

Final. Brandon 31, Ocean Springs 13.

End 3rd quarter, Brandon 21, Ocean Springs 6. Bulldogs have 4th&goal at OS 5.

Halftime, Brandon 21, Ocean Springs 6.

End 1st quarter, Brandon 14, Ocean Springs 6.