For the second week in a row the Tallulah Academy Trojans walked away from Porter's Chapel Academy in Vicksburg with a win over the Eagles Friday night. This time, however, it was in the first round of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) playoffs. The Trojans second victory over the Eagles in as many weeks advances TA to the second round of the playoffs, where they will meet Manchester Academy.
After knocking off the Eagles last week to finish the regular season 5-4, the Trojans found themselves down 22-14 at halftime of the first-round playoff matchup Friday night on the road. But a long run from Paul Michael Machen set up a short touchdown scamper from quarterback Dee Morgan minutes into the second half. Wyatt Bedgood plowed over Eagles defenders for the 2-point conversion on the ground to tie things up at 22-all.
The Trojan defense forced a turnover on downs on the Eagles' next possession and TA mounted a drive that ended with a 32-yard touchdown run from Morgan on a third-and-15 play to give the Trojans a 28-22 lead after a failed 2-point try.
With 3:17 to play in the game, Porter's Chapel managed its own touchdown run to retake the lead 30-28, but it would be a short-lived advantage as Machen struck again on the ground and Morgan again added 2 to give the Trojans a 36-30 lead.
The late-game shootout continued as the Eagles answered with a rushing touchdown with 2:04 to play to tie things up at 36-36 after a failed 2-point conversion. But, the Trojans' offense marched downfield on the ensuing drive, punching it in on the ground from 13 yards out on the legs of Landry Tweedle with 28 seconds left in regulation. Morgan added 2 more on the ground to give TA a 44-36 lead.
The Eagles mounted its own late-game drive, but would see it fall short inches from the goal line as time expired, giving TA a first-round playoff win and an opportunity to face the Manchester Academy Mavericks in the postseason. In September, the Trojans snapped the Mavericks' winning streak that dated back to the 2018 MAIS State Championship game, which Manchester also lost to TA.
Manchester and Tallulah Academy will meet in the second round of the MAIS playoffs Fri., Nov. 5, in Yazoo City, Miss. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
