It wasn't the storybook ending that Hattiesburg had hoped.
The Tigers were supposed to celebrate ending their 100-year title drought in their own hometown, but Grenada spoiled Hattiesburg's perfect season with a 43-14 loss in the Class 6A state championship.
But still, Hattiesburg put together a memorable season, and as the clock winded down with Tigers facing their inevitable defeat, head coach Tony Vance had a brief conversation with his son Deuce, the team's senior quarterback.
"I was just telling that this isn't your last football game," Tony Vance said. "It's just your last high school football game, and it didn't end the way you wanted it to end. We talked about it all week, somebody is going to win and somebody is going to lose. It's about handling it the right way, and that's life. You win some, and you lose some, but you handle it the right way regardless."
Indeed, the Tigers accomplished much by reaching the state championship for the first time since 2017, winning the South State title and putting together a 13-0 record entering the title game.
"We were just talking about how I did a lot my senior season – Mr. Football, (selected for) Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game and Player of the Year for All-State," said Deuce Vance, who ran for two touchdowns in the title game.
"I've just had a great senior season, and I have nothing to hang my head back, and I'm talking about those boys over there too," Deuce Vance pointed to his teammates. "I know they are sad right now, but I'm proud of them."
The loss also marked the last time that Deuce Vance shared the field with his father.
"This (season) is one I'll never forget," Deuce said. "From the bonds, having fun each day, going home and watching film with each other. That's stuff we can't get back, and I'm going to miss that stuff for sure.
"I'm hurting, but I'm just not showing it. It's going to hit. That was my last high school game. I'm still proud of those guys."
Hattiesburg got off to a hot start by scoring on its first two possessions, with both teams trading early blows.
The Tigers opened the game with a 12-play, 61-yard drive that ended with Vance punching a touchdown from the 1-yard line. Grenada (14-1) answered right back with star running back Macaleb Taylor helping lead the Chargers with a 5-play, 56-yard drive that ended in him scoring on a 5-yard to make the score 7-6.
Hattiesburg responded with a quick scoring drive that led to Vance scrambling for an 11-yard touchdown. Tyree Barnett then caught the two-point conversion to give the Tigers a 14-6 lead.
From there, Taylor took full control of the game as he ran for 211 yards and four touchdowns.
"I told everybody all last week that (Taylor is) really good," Tony Vance said. "He is really good and is one of the best running backs in the state. He proved that tonight."
The second quarter shifted in the Chargers' favor as they put up points from a 39-yard field goal. That was followed by Deuce Vance getting strip-sacked to give Grenada the ball at the Tiger's 10-yard line, leading to a touchdown for Taylor.
Grenada's quarterback Brayden Trusty connected with Zayion Cotton for a 10-yard touchdown to push the lead to 23-14 at the half. Taylor then punched touchdowns in the third quarter and at the start of the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Hattiesburg ends the season with a 13-1 record.
"I'm not going to hold my head down, and I'm going to tell my players the same thing in the locker room," Tony Vance said. "We had a great year. We didn't win the last one. You always want to win the last one to get to this point. We just didn't get it done. That's the bottom line. I take full responsibility as the head football coach. We didn't get it done tonight, but I can't say enough about kids. I'm proud of them."
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