For the first time in 13 years, Presbyterian Christian won a playoff game. The Bobcats earned the feat as they rolled past Oak Forest Academy 49-24 in the first round of the MAIS 6A tournament.
"Two years ago, these guys come from the depths of (a 2-10 record), and last year they fought back to 7-6, and now they come back 8-4," PCS coach Derek White said. "They get better every day. They get better with age, like wine. They get better and better, and we're happy about them, and we're excited about the future."
Running back Marquis Crosby also had a historic game and continued to be the catalyst for the Bobcats. He finished with 403 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 27 carries while contributing in the passing game by completing one of three passes for a touchdown and an interception.
Crosby sits just 60 yards shy of breaking the single-season state rushing record with his efforts, which is held by Picayune's Cameron Thomas' 3,517 yards. Crosby describes his feelings as he approaches the record.
"I'm very excited," Crosby said. "I just want to break it, not just for me, but for my team. We work really hard and really, we just want to win a championship. That's what it's all about."
Early in the first quarter, Crosby broke PCS' school record for most rushing yards in a single season, which was previously held by Isaiah Woullard's 3089-yard season. Crosby set the new school record in fashion, scoring on a 28-yard rush to give the Bobcats a 7-0 lead.
After a few drives later, Crosby found his stride again by breaking free for a 49-yard touchdown. Oak Forrest's John Henry White put his team on the scoreboard two plays later with a similar 48-yard rushing touchdown.
With less than two minutes left in the first half, the Bobcats scored two touchdowns after Crosby ran for a 45-yard touchdown, Oak Forrest then returned a kickoff into the red zone. Miles Harris intercepted White at the goal line, which set up another quick drive for the Bobcats. Crosby finished the drive with a 36-yard lob to Max Mcgee for a touchdown.
The third quarter moved at a much slower pace, and the only lead change came from a field goal by PCS' Luke Stanley. The Bobcats prevented the Yellowjackets from scoring in the third and also forced White to fumble, which Webb Chain recovered for a turnover.
Contrary to the start of the second half, the fourth quarter had a combined 37 points as both teams traded touchdowns. As the Yellowjackets' Lawson Hendry and Matthew Binder ran for two touchdowns, Crosby gave PCS two more touchdowns on a 22-yard and 60-yard score.
The Bobcats' final touchdown of the game came from a one-handed interception by Cameron Shaw, who returned the pick for 55 yards.
Despite the Yellowjackets scoring again with a touchdown pass from Drew Tate to Josh Falcone, the Bobcats ended the game with a commanding four-possession lead to end the night.
While the Bobcats celebrated its first playoff victory, the team prepares for its next opponent. PCS will now advance to the next round of the 6A MAIS tournament, where they will rematch against an undefeated Madison Ridgeland Academy team.
