PURVIS – Like many teams this year, Purvis has faced its fair share of adversity this season.
After getting off to a 4-0 start, the Tornados went on a three-game skid after losing several key players to COVID-19. However, Purvis bounced back with seniors Hunter Robinson and Kade Sherrill have played crucial roles in the Tornados’ football season.
While both Robinson and Sherrill had their fair share of significant moments throughout the year, the senior leaders delivered a pair of key plays that helped the Tornados put away Greene County with a 28-13 win and punch Purvis’ ticket to the 4A playoffs.
Holding on to a 21-13 lead with less than three minutes in the fourth quarter, Robinson, who opened the game 2-of-8 with an interception, shrugged off the slow start with his legs. Facing third and five, the quarterback found the endzone with a pivotal 6-yard touchdown run.
“I started off the game (slow),” Robinson said. “I guess it was nerves with adrenaline-pumping it and being a big game. It got to me a little bit with a rocky start. I kind of dialed it in, and I kept telling myself that it’s just a game.
“On the last touchdown run, it was third and five, and we knew if we scored it was game. We had to score, and we had to get into the endzone there. Coach called my name and said to go get it, so I had to get it done.”
As Greene County looked to stay alive on the ensuing drive, Sherrill then picked off the Wildcats quarterback to seal the win.
“Honestly, I thought I was beat,” Sherrill said. “I took a peek inside, and the ball was right there. All I had was a big smile on my face once I caught that ball.”
For Hankins, the senior duo showcased his team’s perseverance through a season filled with trials.
“Back in the playoffs, and it feels good to be there,” Hankins said. “That’s kind of the expectation that we have here, which is to play extra football. These guys grinded and work their butts off to do it, and I’m proud of them.
“This group is pretty special. They have a lot of fight in them. It’s been a crazy year, and they have rose to the occasion, and it’s fun.”
After a scoreless first quarter, Greene County got on the board first after intercepting Robinson. The Wildcats made quick work and scored in six plays to take a 7-0 lead.
However, Purvis answered right back with the first of three big runs of the night. Conner Lawler broke out a 47-yard run on the following drive that set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Ty Badon to tie the game 7-7.
Momentum stayed with Purvis, as Sherrill found an opening with his own 47-yard run that set up a 1-yard touchdown by Kaden Wines to take a 13-7 lead at the half.
In the third quarter, Sherrill again came up with another big run, this time for 53 yards, set up a 1-yard touchdown by Robinson. According to Sherrill, both of his big runs were the same play.
“It was good blocking on the line. It was good calls and good blocking,” Sherrill said. “We outplayed them today. Two of them were the same play. It was just a big opening in the middle, and I was sneaking past everybody in the middle.”
Greene County, which tallied 263 yards of offense, managed to score with less than seven minutes left in the fourth quarter but fell short after failing to secure an onside kick and allowed Robinson and the Purvis offense to score.
Sherrill finished the game with 112 rushing yards on seven carries.
“(Sherrill) is a special football player,” Hankins said. “He’s the kind of kid that loves to play football, and that’s one of those things where you throw him out there you know you’ll get something special.”
Purvis’ offense totaled 301 yards on the night, with 278 of those coming from its ground game.
“We came out 4-0 and riding high,” said Robinson, who totaled 23 yards and touchdowns. “That three-game skid got to us, but we knew we were the same team. We lost some key guys here and there, but we knew we were the same team and that we would put the same effort on the field every time.”
Purvis will now wait to see if it will be either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the playoffs. The Tornados fate will be decided depending on the matchup between Forrest County Agricultural and Stone, which will be played on Saturday. If Stone wins, then Purvis will be the No. 4 seed, but if FCAHS wins, then the Tornados will jump to the No. 3 seed.
