RECAP: Winona scores 28 unanswered points to beat Noxubee County, win MHSAA Class 3A title
OXFORD — Winona defeated Noxubee County 34-27 on Saturday evening to win the MHSAA Class 3A football championship.
It’s Winona’s (15-0) first state championship in program history. For Noxubee County (10-5), it suffered its first loss since Oct. 6.
Winona trailed 19-6 at halftime, but scored 28 unanswered points in the second half on the legs of quarterback Chase Richardson. The senior scored four of Winona’s five touchdowns, all of which came from the ground.
Sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor was the star for Noxubee County, especially in the first half when he threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He could’ve had another touchdown had he not been forced to leave the game for one play when his helmet came off in the first quarter. Instead, his brother, Jaiden Taylor, threw a 30-yard touchdown that gave Noxubee County a 6-0 lead.
But the Winona defense stepped up in the second half, limiting Noxubee County to 109 yards and eight points. The bulk of that came on one play when Taylor threw a 58-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
Richardson finished with 294 rushing yards and was named the game's MVP.
Catch up with the game below:
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FINAL: Winona 34, Noxubee County 27
Winona 34, Noxubee County 27, Q4 | 5:09
Woah woah woah.
KaMario Taylor throws a 58-yard TD pass to Dequadrion Welch. 2pt try is good and Noxubee Co. has life.
Winona 34
Noxubee Co. 27
5:09 | 4Q @sklarsam_ @MikeSChavez— Wynston Wilcox (@wynstonw_) December 3, 2023
Kamario Taylor threw a 58-yard touchdown to Dequadrion Welch to keep Noxubee County in the game.
Winona 34, Noxubee County 19, Q4 | 6:35
Zaishun Nash takes it to the house and that might put this one away.
Winona now with 28 unanswered points.
Winona 34
Noxubee Co. 19
6:35 | 4Q @sklarsam_ @MikeSChavez pic.twitter.com/rEDs4SPegt— Wynston Wilcox (@wynstonw_) December 3, 2023
A 46-yard touchdown run by Zaishun Nash gave Winona a 15-point lead.
Winona 27, Noxubee County 19, Q4 | 10:21
And that’s why Chase Richardson is the 3A Mr. Football winner.
Richardson scored his fourth TD run of the night to get Winona an eight-point lead, early in the 4Q.
Winona 27
Noxubee Co. 19
10:21 | 4Q @MikeSChavez @sklarsam_ pic.twitter.com/8l6Ox0Z76m— Wynston Wilcox (@wynstonw_) December 3, 2023
Chase Richardson struck again, this time on a 51-yard rushing touchdown.
End of the third quarter: Winona 20, Noxubee County 19
Winona 20, Noxubee County 19, Q3 | 0:15
Chase Richardson scores to tie this game up late in the 3Q.
With the PAT, Winona takes the lead.
Make that 14 answered by Winona.
Winona 20
Noxubee Co. 19
:15 | 3Q @MikeSChavez @sklarsam_ pic.twitter.com/JSUd2Uz8o3— Wynston Wilcox (@wynstonw_) December 2, 2023
Chase Richardson scored his third rushing touchdown of the game to give Winona its first lead of the game. He's now up to 166 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Noxubee County 19, Winona 13, Q3 | 6:36
Winona quarterback Chase Richardson ran five yards up the middle for his second rushing touchdown.
HALFTIME: Noxubee County 19, Winona 6
Noxubee County 19, Winona 6, Q2 | 2:28
KaMario Taylor with a master class showing that drive. He orchestrated a 95-yard drive (all passes) and tossed his second TD pass of the night. PAT good.
Noxubee Co. 19
Winona 6
2:28 | 2Q @MikeSChavez @sklarsam_ pic.twitter.com/cppmuQNezP— Wynston Wilcox (@wynstonw_) December 2, 2023
Kamario Taylor is up to 231 passing yards and two touchdowns, now throwing a 2-yard touchdown to Dequadrion Welch.
Noxubee County 12, Winona 6, Q2 | 9:35
KaMario Taylor connects with Jadquist Clark for the TD pass. 2pt try no good.
Noxubee Co. 12
Winona 6
9:35 | 2Q @MikeSChavez @sklarsam_ pic.twitter.com/kXjOIrvU1z— Wynston Wilcox (@wynstonw_) December 2, 2023
Kamario Taylor completes a 10-yard passing touchdown to Jadquist Clark on a slant route. The two-point conversion is no good.
Noxubee County 6, Winona 6, Q1 | 1:49
Chase Richardson.
58-yard house call.
Noxubee Co. 6
Winona 6
1:49 | 1Q @MikeSChavez @sklarsam_ pic.twitter.com/HuxeXFm8d7— Wynston Wilcox (@wynstonw_) December 2, 2023
On Winona's first play from scrimmage, quarterback Chase Richardson broke free and shook off two tackles for a 58-yard rushing touchdown. Winona missed the point after.
Noxubee County 6, Winona 0, Q1 | 5:32
Jaiden Taylor comes in for his older brother, KaMario Taylor, for one play and tosses a TD pass. PAT no good.
Noxubee Co. 6
Winona 0
5:26 | 1Q @MikeSChavez @sklarsam_ pic.twitter.com/WZeeN6kqrd— Wynston Wilcox (@wynstonw_) December 2, 2023
When Noxubee's starting quarterback, Kamario Taylor, had to be subbed out for a play, Noxubee put in Jaiden Taylor. What seemed like a run play until Kamrio came in, they chose to send receiver Jaylen King deep and Jaiden connected with King on a 30-yard passing touchdown. The point after was missed.
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Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Winona comes from behind to beat Noxubee County for MHSAA 3A title
