The 20 year championship drought is over! The Magee Trojans are the 2020 3A State Champions after a dominant 42-26 victory over the Noxubee County Tigers.
In a year filled with adversity and imperfections, the Trojans remained perfect by going 12-0 and bringing home the gold ball. The accomplishment was well deserved, and the Magee Trojans proved time and time again throughout the season that they were the gold standard of the 3A division. The players and coaches rose above and beyond all expectations and delivered an unforgettable season capped by an outstanding performance in the championship game.
As the game started many of the Trojan players were calm. The sideline chatter was confident as they took the field at Veterans Memorial Stadium to prove once more that they were the best. The players had a chip on their shoulders even after going 11-0 in route to the championship game. Many felt downright disrespected because Noxubee County had the number 1 ranked defense in the division, and the Trojans were ranked a close second. As if they needed any more motivation, this helped set the tone early. Historically the Trojans have always had a beef with a tiger in some form or fashion, so would the 3A State Championship game be any different?
Noxubee County possessed the ball to start the game and started their drive from the 35 yard line. Defensively the Trojans were locked in from the first play of the game. Linebacker Jordan Magee beat his blocker to pressure the quarterback, forcing an incomplete pass. After big tackles by Jameyian Spencer and Xavier Franks the Tigers’ first drive would eventually end on a failed fourth down conversion near the Trojans 30 yard line.
Mr. Football Chandler Pittman led the offense onto the field and picked up positive yards on the first play before the Trojans would be backed up by penalties. An incomplete pass and sack led to a Trojan punt on fourth and long. The punt did not travel far and the Tigers took over near midfield. Shortly after the Tigers were able to connect on a 42 yard touchdown pass to take a 6-0 lead. The following two point conversion attempt was no good.
Still early in the first quarter the sense of urgency was visible as Chandler Pittman led the offense onto the field. The offensive line did an excellent job controlling the line of scrimmage, as Pittman went to work. Offensive coordinator Caleb Shufelt invited the Tigers to stop the ground game. Pittman rushed for 5 yards to start the second drive, followed by a strong run up the middle by Jawon Shaw. Pittman wiggled his way through the defense for a first down on the next play. From there the Trojans were off to the races.
Pittman dropped back to pass and hit Cayden Bridges over the middle for a 35 yard gain moving the Trojans into the redzone. Another Pittman carry brought the Trojans to the 14 yard lin. On the next play Pittman dropped back to pass and delivered a strike on a short crossing route to Kyerston Tucker. Tucker coasted across the goal line for his first touchdown of the game. Gavyn Chafin nailed the extra point attempt giving the Trojans a 7-6 lead. Magee put together a masterful drive against the number 1 defense in 3A. The Trojans never trailed in the game from this point forward.
Noxubee had early success on their next offensive drive. A designed quarterback run appeared to break for a big gain. However Cayden Bridges made an outstanding tackle dislodging the ball forcing a turnover. The Trojans offense took over near the 11 yard line. Xavier Franks is a tough cover for any cornerback. Franks was working his defender over and drew an pass interference call to get the Trojans a first down.
From there the Trojans fell behind the sticks and were looking at fourth and 10. It was a bleak situation especially following a turnover, but it set the stage for one of the greatest fake punts in football history. Deep in Trojan territory the coaches deployed the punt team. It appeared to be a routine play, but the long snapper Keywhaun Ducksworth faked the snap. The punter did a decent acting job selling that the snap went over his head. Ducksworth took off like he was shot out of a cannon rumbling down the middle of the field. He gave his best Derrick Henry impression running through arm tackles before being forced out of bounds. The play was good for 39 yards and a first down.
The fresh set of downs gave the Trojans new life. Fans were able to witness a familiar connection between Pittman and Franks that has been deadly all season. A deep pass to Franks from just pass midfield set up first and goal. Franks continued to get the better of the Noxubee secondary and capped the drive with a receiving touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Trojans led 13-6.
The Trojans surrendered a big kick return at the change of possession and gave the Tigers excellent field position. The Tigers began exploiting the seams of the defense and finding success with the tight end. The Tiger’s quarterback threw his second touchdown pass of the game. The extra point attempt was no good, and the Trojans maintained the lead 13-12.
Mr. Football and the offense were in rare form as they came out and answered with another impressive march down field. The rushing attack of Pittman and Shaw kept Noxubee off balance. Pittman was being patient on his pass attempts and making good decision. Pittman completed passes to Bridges, Tucker, and Franks to help advance the ball near the goal line. With the endzone in sight Pittman took the snap and attacked the heart of the defense. Pittman spun his way past defenders, and bounced off others for a 7 yard rushing touchdown. The extra point was good and the Trojans led 20-12.
On the next drive Noxubee County was able to complete another deep pass similar to the first touchdown they scored. This put the Tigers near the goal line and they punched in another touchdown. The two point conversion attempt was good to tie the game at 20-20.
With 4:03 left in the first half the Trojans offense took over on their 30 yard line. Pittman completed a pass to Franks for a first down. On the next play he gashed the Tigers for a big run on a read option play putting the Trojans in plus territory. He followed that up with a 12 yard gain for a first down. On the Tigers 13 yard line, the Pittman was under heavy pressure and threw a pass towards Cayden Bridges that was intercepted. Fortunately there was a holding penalty against the defense which erased the turnover and gave the Trojans a new set of downs on the 3 yard line. From there Pittman juked his way past defenders for his second rushing touchdown. He immediately followed that up by beating defenders around the edge for a two point conversion to give the Trojans a 28-20 lead heading into halftime.
Only 24 minutes from the state championship the Trojans thrashed the Tigers in the second half. Magee possessed the ball to start the second half. Pittman struck for a 28 yard gain on the first play. The Trojans easily advanced to the goal line. Two runs were stuffed near the 1 yard line. Chandler Pittman then proceeded to put on an absolute show for the fanciest 1 yard touchdown pass you could ever see. Pittman took the snap and rolled to his right where no one was open. He then reversed field making defenders miss, before setting his feet and finding Kyerston Tucker in the back of the endzone for a touchdown. The Trojans took a 35-20 lead following the extra point.
The Trojans defense stood tall against the Tigers and forced a turnover with a strip sack on the quarterback. The sideline and stands were amped. The Trojans smelled blood in the water. Following the turnover Pittman threw a well-placed deep pass to Franks that was caught. Cayden Bridges found pay dirt on a speed sweep on the following play. With blockers out front, Bridges turned up field and beat defenders to the end zone. The Trojans went up 42-20.
The Tigers managed to score another touchdown in the third quarter thanks to a well-timed screen pass. This made the score 42-26 after an unsuccessful two point conversion. It would be their last points of the game.
The game was all but over to start the fourth quarter. Noxubee County seemed defeated and offered little resistance as the Trojans began pounding the football and burning the clock.
A Cayden Bridges interception midway through the fourth quarter gave way to a Jawon Shaw touchdown several minutes later. Pittman, Shaw, and Issac Tatum found success running the football and grinding out the clock. Shaw punched in the final score of the game from the 5 yard line. The extra point was good and the Trojans won 49-26.
Chandler Pittman was rightfully named the MVP of the game. Pittman took over the game in spurts and dominated the “number 1 defense” in 3A. He finished the game with 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns to go along with 158 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns.
Xavier Franks led all receivers with 4 receptions for 56 yards and 1 touchdown. Kyerston Tuckers finished the game with 4 receptions for 45 yards and two touchdowns. Cayden Bridges was serviceable in all aspects of the game adding a rushing touchdown and five receptions for 49 yards. Bridges was also credited with two turnovers for a forced fumble and interception.
Trojans Nation was filled with emotion following the game as the players, coaches, fans, and city celebrated snapping the drought. The Gold Ball traveled down Highway 49 where the team received a hero’s welcome as they were met by fans on the side of the road congratulating them for a momentous accomplishment.
The Magee Trojans are the 2020 3A State Champions that is, and always will be a fact.
