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RECAP: West Point football rushes for 477 yards, beats Laurel for first title since 2019

wynston wilcox, memphis commercial appeal
·5 min read

OXFORD - Kahnen Daniels showed why he was selected as the Class 5A’s Mr. Football award recipient. Daniels rushed for 253 yards and three touchdowns to help West Point win its first state championship since 2019 with a 35-7 win over Laurel.

In the final game at Ole Miss’s Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Thursday night, West Point ran all over Laurel with ease. While Daniels stole the show, the Green Wave (11-3) had 447 total rushing yards in the 5A title game.

Quinterion Tillman-Evans was the other bell cow for the Green Wave, rushing for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Aside from Laurel’s first possession of the game, the Golden Tornadoes (8-7) couldn’t get any offensive momentum. Senior quarterback Kobe Pierce scored Laurel’s only touchdown on a 31-yard run on a read option.

This was a rematch of the 2016 state championship game, which West Point also won, 28-9.

With the win, West Point wins the program’s 12th state championship.

Recap the game below:

West Point 35, Laurel 7 | 5:02, 4Q

Kahnen Daniels puts this one away with his third touchdown rush of the night. He's ran all over Laurel and he adds one more touchdown, making this one all but over. With five minutes left, Laurel hasn't scored since its first drive of the game.

The Golden Tornadoes tried to pass, but didn't have any success. With each empty drive, West Point took advantage, using its dangerous rushing attack to find the end zone.

West Point 28, Laurel 7 | 4:30, 3Q

Quinterion Tillman-Evans rushed in from a yard out to extend the Green Wave's lead to 21 points, less than halfway through the third quarter.

It was once again a dominant rushing attack that set up the most recent West Point touchdown. And it needed chunk plays to do so. Tillman-Evans had a 59 yard rush that drive, followed by a 28 yard rush by Kahnen Daniels. That set up Tillman-Evans' second touchdown rush of the game.

HALF: West Point 21, Laurel 7

It was a fast-moving first half, thanks to both teams favoring the run. While Laurel did have some success passing in the second quarter, the running game has been the sweet-spot for both teams. Kahnen Davis has been the bright spot for the Green Wave, rushing for 144 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

Kobe Pierce has been the key player for the Golden Tornadoes. He's got 65 passing yards and 52 rushing yards and touchdown.

West Point 21, Laurel 7 | 0:59, 2Q

It's the Kahnen Daniels show tonight.

Daniels got his second touchdown of the night, rushing in from four yards out. The Green Wave extended their lead to 14 after Laurel missed a 27-yard field earlier in the quarter.

West Point 14, Laurel 7 | 8:41, 2Q

This 5A state championship game is going to be a ground battle. Along with the rain swooping into the stadium during the second quarter, both teams have a combined 31 rushes and one pass attempt.

Quinterion Tillman-Evans is the latest ball carried to score, reaching the end zone on a three-yard run.

End 1Q: West Point 7, Laurel 7

It was a quick first quarter and it saw both teams score. Both teams have utilized the running game through one quarter. West Point has the edge with 97 rushing yards on 14 carries. Laurel, which has had just the one possession, has 57 rushing yards.

Laurel 7, West Point 7 | 3:43, 1Q

Buckle up, this one is looking like it might be a shoot out.

Laurel, aided by a pass interference call, marched down the field after giving up an opening drive touchdown to tie the game. It was senior quarterback Kobe Pierce calling his own number on a read-option play, taking it 31 yards to tie the game.

Stay tuned, this one could be high scoring.

West Point 7, Laurel 0 | 7:16, 1Q

Kahnen Daniels has stamped his name in the box score Thursday night, scoring the first touchdown of the game. Daniels took the handoff 14 yards to the right to help the Green Wave get in front 7-0 early in the first quarter. After West Point had issues corralling the kickoff, the Green Wave methodically went down the field, rushing the ball eight times for 67 yards. Daniels led the way with 38 yards that drive.

Pregame reading for West Point vs. Laurel Class 5A MHSAA state championship game

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: RECAP: West Point football rushes for nearly 500 yards, beats Laurel for first state title since 2019