JACKSON – Speed was decisive in Saturday’sClass 3A State Football Championship game. The Charleston Tigersdisplayed exceptional speed and raced past the Hazlehurst Indians34-8 in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

    Just as impressive on A.C. “Butch” Lambert Field was Charleston’sspeed on defense. The Tigers (14-2) smothered Hazlehurst’sexplosive attack, limiting the Indians to just 94 yards totaloffense and one touchdown.

    “We knew (Tigers) could run,” said Hazlehurst first-year head coachRandall Montgomery. “They have more team speed than we do.Penalties and fumbles against a good football team won’t win games,either.”

    Montgomery watched three Charleston runners rush for over 100yards. Kameron Myers rushed 17 times for 140 yards and 2touchdowns. Antwan Wilson gained 123 yards on just 4 carries andscored twice. Percy O’Bannon rushed 26 times for 108 yards and 1TD.

    Wilson and O’Bannon are seniors. Myers is a junior.

    “Five, six and 21 (jersey numbers) were the guys we knew we had tostop,” said Montgomery. “I’m proud of  our team and I look forward tocoaching them next season.”

    Hazlehurst (13-2) loses four seniors to graduation: linemenJervarus Banks and Shontavius Norals, wide receiver James Minterand linebacker Akeara Green.

    Running back Demetrius Cain, Hazlehurst’s leader on offense anddefense this season, was limited to 43 yards rushing on 14 carries.Cain led the Indians on defense with 13 tackles from his linebackerposition.

    “We will be back next year,” Cain promised. “We have to keep ourheads high. Charleston has a good team.”

    Charleston, winning its first state title, had lost 14-0 toHazlehurst in the 2005 championship game. The Tigers led Hazlehurstby a similar score at halftime, limiting the Indians to a mere 13yards total offense and 1 first down.

    The Indians appeared ready for an uprising at the start of thesecond half.  They got a23-yard kickoff return from D’Alex Rockingham and marched 66 yardsin 4 plays. Aaron Larry had a 42-yard gain and Freddie Nelson racedthe final 25 yards down the left sideline, ending the shutout.

    Cain’s 2-point conversion run cut Charleston’s lead to 14-8 with10:11 left in the third quarter.

    The Tigers, boasting speed on the corners, responded with an 8-playtouchdown drive after Deshadrick Truly returned the kickoff 30yards to midfield. The 195-pound O’Bannon crashed across the goalline from 3 yards out and it was 20-8.

    Hazlehurst advanced to the Tigers’ 37-yard line before beingstopped on a fake punt. Two plays later, following a 10-yardholding penalty, Wilson raced around right end for 75 yards and aTD.

    O’Bannon ran the PAT and it was 28-8.

    Charleston scored its final TD on its next possession.  Wilson covered the  final 32 yards to paydirt, capping a65-yard drive.

    Charleston coach Tony Vance was surrounded by well-wishers afterthe game. His team enjoyed an impressive day.

    “We had a great effort and I’m proud of the Charleston fans forsupporting us,” said Vance. “All year we talked about speed. Ithink our team has a lot of speed.”

    On defense, end Jamal Short led the Tigers with 10 tackles. NicoO’Bannon had 9 tackles and a team-leading 5 solo stops.

    Hazlehurst quarterback Kenneth Coleman had little time to set up apassing game and was under heavy pressure. He completed 1 of 6passes for  a minus-5 yardsand was intercepted once.

    “I want to thank God for our season and allowing us to play heretoday,” said Coleman, the bright sunlight shining on his plaited,shoulder-length hair. “We have a good team. Charleston justexecuted better than us.”

    The Indians’ Dedric Reese intercepted Wilson twice.  Banks was credited with 11 tackles.Darius Washington and John Bridges each had 10 tackles.