Make no mistake Tupelo’s Jaeden Hill was named Mr. Football for a reason.
With the Golden Wave holding a one-score lead, Hill called for the ball to put the game away. With a minute to go, the junior running back hurdled a pair of defenders and broke a tackle to break away for a 32-yard touchdown to seal Tupelo’s victory in the Class 7A state championship game.
“I wanted (the ball) bad,” Hill said. “I told the coaches to give me the ball. I was going to end it.
“We have been pushing the edge for a long time. We got close to a (state title) two years ago. Last year, we got bounced in the second round, but we came in ready to fight wanting to win a ring.”
Behind the running back’s memorable performance, the Golden Wave defeated Brandon 28-16 to claim its first state title since 1992 and cap off a perfect season.
“I’m ecstatic,” said Tupelo coach Ty Hardin. “I don’t know what to say. I just got ice water poured on me, and I don’t feel cold right now. I’m ready to go kiss my wife more. I’m ready to go back to T-town and celebrate more. It’s just awesome.”
Hill, who entered the game with over 2,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns, added another 261 all-purpose yards and three more scores to his season total.
“We know in the fourth quarter that if the game is close and it’s in our hands that (Hill), and our offensive line are going to take it over,” Hardin said.
Tupelo jumped to a 14-0 lead behind the legs of Hill.
On the Golden Wave’s first drive, Hill ripped a 24-yard run to set up a 6-yard touchdown for himself. On Tupelo’s next drive, Hill caught a pass from quarterback Noah Gillon and turned it into a 37-yard touchdown to go up 14-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Both teams missed opportunities in the second quarter. The Golden Wave missed a 27-yard field goal, while Brandon running back Tyson Robinson dropped a potential 50-yard touchdown pass.
In the third quarter, Brandon (12-3) picked up momentum after the Bulldog defense forced a short 32-yard punt. Brandon took advantage of a favorable field position and put together a 10-play, 37-yard drive to get on the board with a 33-yard field goal.
Tupelo was then forced to punt on its next drive, but it was blocked by Cam Short, who recovered the ball in the end zone to cut the deficit to one score. However in the fourth quarter, Gill kept the ball on a fake hand off to Hill and scored on a 15-yard run after having to lower his shoulder to push the score to 21-10.
Brandon answered with a quick drive that ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by Robinson, but a failed two-point conversion left the Bulldogs trailing 21-16.
Hill, who ran for 132 of his 224 rushing yards in the second half, knew the difference in the game was his ability to wear down the opposing defense, which helped set up his final touchdown run.
“I could tell after halftime they were getting tired, so Coach was telling me to run up the middle the whole time,” Hill said. “They were reading the run, but Coach told me to just run harder and get through it. That’s what I did."
Tupelo finishes the season 14-0.
“These kids were doubted early on with replacing eight starters on defense,” Hardin said. “We got the monkey off our back. A lot of folks were like, ‘Tupelo, that’s what they do they choke in the playoffs.’ We are a little different. This is something that has been built for a little while, and it’s something special. It’s a special senior class. It’s special young guys. They came to work every day. I’m so proud of them and blessed to be their football coach."
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