VICKSBURG — Jamal Vessell’s 12 carries for 120 yards and his 82-yard interception return in the fourth quarter were key in Wilkinson County Christian Academy’s 23-15 win over the Porter’s Chapel Academy Eagles Friday night in MAIS District 4-A action.

With WCCA leading Porter’s Chapel 17-7, the Eagles had no choice but to go for it on fourth and 12 from the Rams’ 30-yard line. Vessell stepped in front of a Jonah Masterson pass at the 18 and no one was going to catch him as he scored with 3:31 remaining.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Vessell scored on a 19-yard run and Jalen Washington threw to Dra’ Tolliver for the two-point conversion that gave the Rams their 10-point lead.

Masterson tried to redeem himself as he scored on a seven-yard run and threw to Ar’Natches Turner on the two-point conversion that made it a one-possession with 1:17 left.

But the comeback attempt ended there as WCCA recovered the onside kick and ran the clock out. Washington scored on a 43-yard run late in the first quarter, and the Rams got a safety with 8:57 to go in the game when the ball was snapped over Masterson’s head with the Eagles backed up at their own 2-yard line. That forced him to kick the ball out of the end zone to keep the Rams from recovering it for a touchdown.

Porter’s Chapel grabbed the early lead on a 68-yard touchdown pass from Masterson to Turner, and Peyton Guider added the extra point at the 11:45 mark of the first quarter.

Washington threw for 134 yards despite completing just five of 14 passes. Vessell had two receptions for 60 yards, and Tolliver had two catches for 53 yards.

Dakota Jones led the Rams’ defense with five tackles, one sack and two fumble recoveries.

WCCA (1-4, 1-0) hosts Central Private School for homecoming next Friday at 7 p.m.

Centreville Academy 37, Ben’s Ford 0

BOGALUSA, La. — Centreville Academy scored all of its points in the first half as the Tigers rolled past the Ben’s Ford Christian School Eagles Friday night in both teams’ MAIS District 6-AA opener.

The Tigers scored 21 points in the first quarter and added 16 points in the second quarter.

Centreville Academy (4-1, 1-0) hosts Silliman Institute next Friday at 7 p.m. in a key district game for both teams.