On October 20, the Pelahatchie Chiefs hosted the Puckett Wolves for the Chiefs’ senior night. The Chiefs were undefeated in district play, having claimed victory over the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Saints and Pisgah Dragons. In addition, the Chiefs had a five-year win streak over the Wolves, outscoring them 222-45 since 2017. On the other hand, the Wolves were 6-2 on the season and fresh off of a 34-7 win against the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Saints.
The Chiefs and Wolves share one trait: they run the ball a lot. The Chiefs have amassed 853 rushing yards, almost twice as much as they have thrown. Conversely, the Wolves have averaged 166.8 rushing yards per game with junior Javarius Fletcher averaging 116.2.
Upon winning the toss, the Chiefs began with the ball. The Wolves quickly shut down the Chiefs run game, forcing a three and out. On the punt, the ball found its way to the sideline at about the 50 yard line, setting up the Wolves with good field position.
The Wolves did not stop their aggression, quickly driving into scoring position with runs from Javarius Fletcher. On the last play of the drive, junior quarterback Jaxon Elmore connected to junior wide receiver Jacob Jones to put the Wolves up 6-0. The Wolves also made a two-point conversion to make the score 8-0.
The Chiefs did, however, start off strong on their next drive with a 34 yard kickoff return from sophomore Tate Hopson and a 10 yard run from freshman Damarion Snow. Despite their success, a fourth down sack on Javion Magee led to a turnover on downs.
On the first play of the Wolves drive, Pelahatchie sophomore linebacker Micah Walters forced a fumble on a hit on Wolves quarterback Jaxon Elmore to recover the ball. Two plays later, Chiefs quarterback Javion Magee threw the ball intending for sophomore Ethan Hagood but it was instead intercepted by senior Montavious Wesley.
On their first play with the ball back, Javarius Fletcher made a 20 yard run up the middle, breaking multiple tackles in the process and collecting a first down. To end the first quarter, junior Samuelle Gray broke to the right side and ran for 35 yards.
To begin the second quarter, Javarius Fletcher ran up the middle for a 15 yard touchdown, extending the Wolves lead to 14.
The Chiefs battled back, scoring on a slant from Myles Stringer for a 30 yard touchdown. Additionally, the Chiefs’ defense forced a quick punt on multiple incomplete passes from Jaxon Elmore.
The Wolves, however, capitalized when they recovered a fumble after the returner dropped the punt. Javarius Fletcher ran up the middle, collecting a first down. Jaxon Elmore threw an incomplete pass intended for junior Jacory Bland, and didn’t convert on fourth down after a clutch stop on Javarius Fletcher from sophomore defensive end Anthony Boyd.
Without pause, Puckett forced a punt after an incomplete pass from the Chiefs on third down. On the punt, Puckett blocked it and returned it for a touchdown to further their lead to 20-7. The extra point was blocked by Ethan Hagood.
The Chiefs fought back, returning the kickoff with Ethan Hagood for 41 yards. Also, quarterback Javion Magee found sophomore Ryder Phillips for a 30 yard gain. The drive concluded when Magee targeted junior Devin Lott on a deep pass but the pass was incomplete.
On the first play of Puckett’s drive, Samuelle Gray beat a defender on a vertical route and was wide open for a 56-yard touchdown pass. After the two-point conversion, the Wolves were up 28-7 going into halftime.
To begin the second half, Jaxon Elmore completed a 20 yard pass to Jacory Bland, and on the next play, fooled the Chief’s defense on a read-option for a 52 yard touchdown to lead 34-7.
The Chiefs continued to struggle when an underthrown pass on a post route to Myles Stringer gave the Chiefs no other option but to punt. On the punt, Tate Hopson pulled a trick play and was able to obtain a first down to continue to drive. To keep the momentum rolling, Demarion Snow collected 22 yards after breaking multiple tackles and Ryder Phillips grabbed a 10-yard first down on a screen. On the final play of the drive, Javion Magee rolled out to his left and threw to senior wide receiver Braden Laughlin to grab the Chiefs’ second touchdown of the game. A Wolves’ blocked extra point left the Chiefs with a 34-13 deficit.
Jacory Bland almost collected the Wolves’ 7th touchdown of the night on a 68 yard run but it was called back for a block in the back. Javarius Fletcher did however collect a 15-yard first down in which he broke several tackles. The Chiefs struck back when Myles Stringer intercepted a pass from Jaxon Elmore to give the Chiefs possession.
To the Wolves’ advantage, Jacob Jones forced a fumble on a reverse by Ethan Hagood to regain possession. Furthermore, Samuelle Gray started the fourth quarter by making a defender miss and scoring a 50-yard rushing touchdown. The Wolves collected the two point conversion to lengthen their lead 42-13.
With the ball back, Chiefs’ quarterback Javion Magee handed the ball off to junior running back Jamaal Longino on a reverse for a 15-yard first down. On third down, Magee was hurried and ran to the outside for a two yard gain, but it was not enough to convert for a first down.
After a Chiefs’ punt, the Wolves found themselves with the ball once again. On third down with 2:45 to go in the fourth quarter, senior defensive end Tucker Rowell made a tackle in the backfield to bring a fourth down Wolves’ punt. After a flag on a 15-yard Chiefs’ reverse, the game was final. Final score: Puckett 42, Pelahatchie 13
The Chiefs’ primary struggle was catching momentum when they needed it. Two more defensive stops and two more touchdowns would have put the Chiefs right back in the game. When the Chiefs do find drive, they tend to score touchdowns one after another.
Despite the tough loss, the Chiefs still have a great chance of making the playoffs thanks to their two wins in the prior weeks. As previously mentioned, it is important that the Chiefs can catch momentum and continue it.
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