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For the first time in schools history, Raleigh Lions won the State 3A Championship in football for the State of Mississippi.
A large supportive and victory hungry crowd was in attendance for the Raleigh game Friday, December 2, 2022. The fans covered the stadium almost end zone to end zone. The community turned out for this group of athletes.
The weather was great! The temperature was pleasant for a great day of football at the Rock.
A heavy scoring offensive game was exhibited by both teams and came down to a nail bitter at the very end.
Raleigh won the toss and deferred until the 2nd half. Perkins, kickoff went 59 yards to the Noxubee 1-yard line. Mosely returned the ball for 14 yards to the 15. Raleigh held the Tigers to 3 plays and 8 yards forcing the punt. Raleigh first possession led to a Perkins 74 yard rushing touchdown. The point after attempt was good. Lions were on the board and leading by a score of 7-0.
Noxubee wasted no time answering going 3 plays and 65 yards in 1:03 with a passing touchdown to Taylor for 53 yards. The two point conversion was good. Tigers took the lead by a score of 8-7.
Raleigh responded quickly with a 19-yard passing touchdown to Owens. Two-point conversion was good. Lions take the lead by a score of 15-8. The Lions went 6 plays and 75 yards in the possession.
With 4:51 left in the first quarter, Noxubee would score again on a thirty-six yard pass. The two point conversion was good. Tigers led by a score of 16-15.
In a huge play, Noxubee kicked off to the Lions. Raleigh fumbled the ball and the Tigers recover to take over possession on the Raleigh 26-yard line. The fumble resulted in points when the Tigers scored on a 3 yard pass. The two -point conversion was good increasing the Tigers’ lead by a score of 24-15.
Second quarter Perkins rushed for a 52-yard touchdown. The two point conversion was good. Lions shortening the lead by a score of 24-23. Noxubee leading.
Noxubee scored on a 34-yard pass. The 2-point conversion was good and tigers are up by a score of 32-23. The possession went 7 plays for 73 yards.
With 2:54 remaining in the half Raleigh went 9 plays and 68 yards to score once more on a 6-yard rush by Walker. The two-point conversion was good. Lions down by one with a score of 32-31.
Raleigh would hold Noxubee to three plays forcing the punt. Raleigh fumbled the punt turning the ball over to the Tigers. Two plays later Raleigh regained possession with an interception by Bowen. Raleigh takes possession. Raleigh was unable to produce points going 5 plays and 48 yards. Noxubee takes over running the clock to end the first half.
Starting the second half, Raleigh was back to receive the ball. Smith’s kickoff was for 35-yards to the Raleigh 25-yard line. Waker returned the ball 10-yards and fumbled. Raleigh recovered on their own 34-yard line.
Moncrief rushed for 8-yards scoring a touchdown. The 2-point conversion was good. Lions take the lead by a score 39-32.
Again Noxubee answered quickly scoring on a 48-yard pass to Welch. The two-point conversion was good. Nosubee takes lead by a score of 40-39.
Perkins once more for Raleigh found the end zone. The two point conversion was good. The possession lasted 10 plays and 64 yards. Lions led by a score of 47-40.
Noxubee responded immediately. Wicks rushed for a 72-yard touchdown. Raleigh’s defense made one the biggest plays of the game stopping the two-point conversion. Raleigh led by a score of 47-46.
Raleigh nor Noxubee were able to produce any points the first possession of the 4th quarter.
Raleigh scored on a 16-yard rushing touchdown by Perkins to increase the Lions score and what looked to be the nail in the coffin for the Lions. The two-point conversion was good and the Lions led by a score of 55-46.
Noxubee was not broken and scored quickly in 5 plays for 62-yards and :34 seconds. Raleighs defense again produced in stopping the two-point conversion with 2:03 seconds reaming on the clock. Lions led by a score of 55-52.
Raleigh secured the first downs to run the clock out in regulation and become the State 3A Football Champions for the State of Mississippi.
MageeNews.com is an online news source covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
