Brandon downs Wayne County in Class 5A football showdown

By By James Kennedy/EMG/Laurel Leader-Call
Nov. 10, 2001
BRANDON-Jerious Norwood accounted for 210 yards of total offense and scored three touchdowns to lead top-ranked Brandon Bulldogs to a 21-14 Region 3-5A victory over No. 8 Wayne County War Eagles.
Brandon improves to 11-0 overall and finishes first in Region 3-5A with a 7-0
mark. The War Eagles drop to 9-2 overall, 6-1 in regional play.
The Bulldogs scored first in the game. From the Brandon 29, Norwood carried the ball twice to the War Eagles 47-yard line. On his third carry, he went the distance for the touchdown with 8:39 left in the opening quarter.
Gregory Shelton's kick was good. Brandon had an opportunity to extend the lead further when Bulldogs linebacker Jack Smith intercepted a Jonathan Sellers pass, but Shelton missed a 38-yard field goal with 3:58 to go in the period.
Wayne County answered in their next possession. Starting from their own 20-yard line, the War Eagles needed only five plays to score a touchdown.
Jerrod Sims' 33-yard run capped off the drive with 1:47 left in the stanza. Sellers' kick tied the score.
Wayne County then had an opportunity to take the lead in the second quarter.
The War Eagles drive stalled at the Bulldogs 10, but Sellers hooked his 27-yard field goal attempt.
From their 20-yard line, Brandon needed nine plays to retake the lead. Norwood's 7-yard run on fourth-and-2 gave the Bulldogs the lead with 1:48 to go in the half. Shelton's extra point was good.
Brandon extended their lead to start the second half. Norwood returned the second-half kickoff from his 3-yard line to the Wayne County 27.
Four plays later, Norwood scored his third touchdown of the night from the War Eagles 3 with 10:05 remaining in the third quarter. Shelton's kick made it 21-7.
Wayne County entered the scoring column again with 4:18 left in the third quarter.
Reggie Davis recovered a Bobby Weakley fumble at the Bulldogs 45. Nine plays later, Sellers scored from the 1-yard line on a quarterback sneak. His kick was good.
From then on, the Bulldogs defense held Wayne County scoreless. Brandon did not allow the War Eagles go past the Wayne County 36-yard line for the remainder of the game.
Brandon had 251 yards of total offense- 168 yards on the ground. Norwood had 35 carries for 168 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed a halfback pass for 42 yards to account for his 210 yards of total offense.
The War Eagles had 236 yards of total offense- 224 yards gained on the ground. Sims had 11 carries for 102 yards and one touchdown.