By Staff
SECOND PLACE n Wayne Academy's Coach Tom Boszor presents Colby Pitts, 10, Derrick Brown, 55, and the rest of the Jaguar team with their runner-up trophy after they lost 14-7 to Trinity Episcopal Day School in the 2001 State A Championship game held in Clinton. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Jeff Byrd/The Meridian Star
Dec. 2, 2001
CLINTON Wayne Academy failed to win its third Academy Class A football championship in four years Saturday, dropping a 14-7 decision to Trinity Episcopal Day School.
Trinity Episcopal claimed its second Mississippi Private School Association Academy A Football Championship in the game that was played Mississippi College's Robinson-Hale Stadium. Trinity quarterback/running back Chad Ridley ran for two touchdowns to pace the Saints.
The loss denied Wayne Academy a third Academy A title. The Jaguars won Class A in 1998 and 1999 here in Clinton. They finish the 2001 season with an overall record of 11-2.
Trinity took a 14-0 lead early in the third quarter when Ridley capped a short, 22-yard drive with his one-yard run.
Wayne Academy answered with its best drive of the game going 65 yards in eight plays. Cory Cochran scored on a 10-yard TD run.
The Jaguars would have three more possessions to gain a possible tying touchdown but they could get no closer than the Trinity 44-yard line.
Both of Trinity's scoring drives were under 30 yards.
Wayne Academy wound up outgaining Trinity by a 200-184 count, but for much of the day, the Jaguars had the much farther distance to travel.
Jeff Byrd is a sports writer for the Meridian Star. He can be reached at 693-1551 or by e-mail at jbyrd@themeridianstar.com.