Lamar's season ends against Magnolia Heights

By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
Nov. 13, 2004
SENATOBIA Magnolia Heights came up with the big plays it needed on Friday night and ruined Lamar's hopes of a second MPSA Class AAA Division II state championship.
Magnolia Heights scored two defensive touchdowns and held Lamar deep in its own territory on four occasions to pick up a 36-20 victory.
Lamar fell behind early as Magnolia Heights took the opening kickoff and marched 70 yards for the score.
Jeffrey Reed ran in for a four-yard touchdown to give the Chiefs a 6-0 lead.
Magnolia Heights' defense added more points on Lamar's next possession as the Chiefs forced a fumble. Tre' Rhines picked up the ball and carried it 67 yards for the touchdown. Russ Sneed carried in the conversion to make the score 14-0.
Lamar turned the ball over on its next possession to give Magnolia Heights another touchdown. Hunter Ferguson picked off a pass to set up a 10-yard touchdown toss from Sneed to Jonathon Ferguson for a 22-0 lead.
Lamar tallied its first score on its next possession, driving 70 yards on six plays for a touchdown. Scott Owen hit Dustin Gray for a 44-yard pass in the end zone to cap the scoring drive with 11 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Raider connected on the point-after attempt to cut the Chiefs' lead to 22-7.
Lamar looked to cut into the lead even more in the second quarter, as it moved into Magnolia Heights' territory on two separate occasions.
But the Chiefs forced the Raiders to turn over the ball on downs on both occasions.
The Chiefs added a late touchdown in the first half on a 51-yard pass play from Sneed to Reed, and Sneed carried in the two-point conversion for 30-7 advantage.
Lamar took over the ball with 47 seconds left in the first half and marched down the field for another first-half score.
Owen hit Gray with two seconds left in the half with a seven-yard touchdown pass to make the score 30-13 at halftime.
Lamar took over in the second half and again moved into Magnolia Heights territory.
The Raiders moved to the Chiefs' 5-yard line, but once again turned the ball over on downs.
The Raiders cut the lead to 10 points late in the third quarter, as Parker Payne carried the ball around the left side for a 31-yard touchdown run to make the score 30-20 with 1:13 left in the third.
Lamar took the ball back midway through the fourth quarter and tried to drive down the field for a quick score. Reed stepped in front of a pass to stop the Raider drive.
The Raiders took over the ball late in the quarter and attempted to move down the field, but Reed stepped in front of another pass for another interception. This time he carried the ball 42 yards for the touchdown to give Magnolia Heights a 16-point victory.
The Chiefs improved to 9-2 with the win and will take on Madison Ridgeland Academy in the MPSA Class AAA Division II state championship on Friday.
Lamar closed out the year with a 7-5 mark.