By Cadence Owen
Special to the Democrat

 

Road to the Championship:

 

In a nerve-wracking game between rivals on December 7, 2024, the Poplarville Hornets and Louisville Wildcats took to the University of Southern Mississippi’s field, fighting to earn the 2024-2025 4A State Champions. Poplarville held out against Louisville during the true nail-biter, winning 29-28 and making history for the small-town high school. 

 

Going to the championship is not new for the Hornets. Poplarville High School has been to the 4A State Championship four times prior, two being against Louisville, and none resulting in taking home the gold ball. With many players out previously in the season, the Hornets overcame adversity. They arrived at the season-ending game with a record of 12-2, winning to close out with an outstanding 13-2 finish. Louisville losing this game cost them their 13th state championship win, ending their season with a record of 13-2 and many hearts broken on the field. Eventually, Poplarville persisted and showed up against all odds, winning their first State Championship.

 

 “Most Valuable Player: Tylan Keys”

 

Hometown superstar Tylan Keys, #5, played a great offensive game against the Wildcats, and his performance clinched him. By the end of the game, Keys had 130 rushing yards, a touchdown on 23 carries, and a kickoff return touchdown. 

 

Ty missed an outstanding eight games throughout the Hornets season due to a shoulder injury. Even without the offensive unit, the Hornets reached the end goal, laying the groundwork for Ty to make his grand comeback.

 

After the game, Ty ecstatically told reporters, “Nobody else has been able to do what we did today… We worked all summer for this. It feels great. Look at us now!” 

 

Head Coach Jay Beech also said about Keys: “Other guys stepped up for us when Tylan was out, but he gives us something extra, that break-away ability you saw tonight. You need a guy like him to win a state championship.” 

 

“Offensive Honorable Mentions”

 

While Ty was named MVP, many other players contributed to the ending score of 29 over Louisville’s 28. One key player worth mentioning would be the Hornets quarterback, Sydney Blackmon, #18. It’s safe to say that Blackmon’s high school career as quarterback was one to be proud of, with 1580 yards and 16 touchdown passes overall. On Saturday, Blackmon had 81 passing yards and one passing touchdown. Alongside their senior quarterback, running back Zack Case, #6, and wide receiver Nick Miller, #3 also had outstanding seasons. On Saturday, Miller gained multiple first downs for his team and scored a touchdown from the 1-yard line. Zack Case caught a 20-yard pass from quarterback Sydney Blackmon and made a crucial touchdown for the Hornets. Newly joined Hornet Jeremiah Moss, #15, arrived at the beginning of the season and made his last season special. Moss, serving as the Hornet’s tight end and punter, played an essential role in the victory over Louisville on Saturday night, with a 50-yard catch thrown by Blackmon. It’s also important to recognize the Hornets’ offensive line, which blocked out their hearts and left enough holes for the offensive scorers to run the ball to the endzone.

 

“Defensive Honorable Mentions”

 

Many players played their most challenging on the defensive front to keep the Wildcats away from the endzone and, ultimately, the coveted gold football trophy. Ayden Harmon, #8. He led the team in four solo tackles and ten assisted tackles. Harmon ended his season with 68 solo tackles and 52 assisted tackles. Jason “Biggie” Smith, #7, also played a great game, falling close behind Harmon with eight assisted tackles and a game-saving interception. Other notable players on the defensive line were Cole Henry, #2, who got an interception, and Parker Pearson, #28, who had the same game stats of 2 solo tackles and four assisted tackles. Josh Beck, #34, and Nathan Brown, #99, were names repeated over the speakers multiple times for their defensive skill. Overall, the Hornets pushed Louisville’s O-Line back from the win.

 

“Thanks to The Coaches”

 

Despite the players’ non-stop effort to bring home the first State Championship win for the Hornets, none of it could have been done without the work of the Poplarville coaching staff. The coaches should be proud of themselves for the Hornets making literal school history. Leading the offensive line, head coach Jay Beech and assistant coaches Jacob Owen, Justin Moss, and Chandler Ray all worked together to coach the boys to play their most complex and work against anything Louisville threw at them. Additionally, assistant coaches Christopher Dewease, Justin Sones, Brad Wells, and Adam Johnson coached their boys to adapt to different offense levels.

 

The scoreboard Saturday night made every inch of Poplarville proud to be a part of the community, even more so to be affiliated with the Hornets. The standout performances of every player and coach, mentioned or not, made it possible for the community to unite under this victory. 

 

In the words of Mrs. Nicole Aube, an English teacher at Poplarville High School, “I’ve been to many PHS games, and none of them had me out of my seat like the championship game on Saturday. The boys earned that win more than they knew. I’m lucky to share it with them!”