photo by Marcus Frazier

Centreville Academy’s Adam Perry (13) joins his team as they celebrate their win over Kirk Academy in the 2008 MPSA Class AA state championship game Saturday evening in Pelahatchie. The Tigers beat the Raiders 28-10 to win their second consecutive state championship and eighth title overall.

Sinclair's 264 rushing yards lead Centreville to state title

By Jeff Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Sunday, November 30, 2008

PELAHATCHIE — When Centreville coach Bill Hurst was asked to describe his team Saturday night, he didn’t wax poetic or go on a long tangent. He only needed to say a few words.

“Just guts,” Hurst said. “They’ve got a lot of guts and a lot of heart.”

Centreville used those two things in excess on Saturday in defeating Kirk Academy 28-10 to win their second consecutive MPSA Class AA state championship and eighth overall.

The Centreville offensive line, which was missing two starters due to injury, dominated the Kirk defensive line all night and it allowed the Tigers to rush for 316 yards and four touchdowns.

The major workhorse in the Centreville rushing attack was tailback Zack Sinclair.

The junior rushed for 264 yards on 36 carries and two scores to lead the Tigers.

Many of those yards were after contact, as Sinclair would fight and twist for extra yardage while Kirk defenders hung on for dear life.

Hurst has coached a lot of great running backs in his years as the Centreville head coach, but he said Sinclair might just be one of the best.

“He’s one of the best if not the best we’ve ever had here,” Hurst said. “He’s got a lot of moves and does a lot of things. The harder you get on him, the harder he plays.”

Sinclair said Hurst has driven him hard throughout his years at Centreville, but it’s developed him into a better runner.

“He never gives me a break or anything,” Sinclair said. “But I appreciate it. It’s helped turn me into a man.”

Centreville set the tone right after the opening kickoff when they steadily marched down the field on a 15-play, 80-yard drive that took over eight minutes and was capped off with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Kyle Brown.

Because of the long drive, Kirk didn’t even touch the football on offense until just over three minutes remained in the first quarter.

Another long scoring march led to Centreville’s second touchdown, as the Tigers drove 71 yards in 11 plays, ending in a 6-yard touchdown run by Sinclair.

Sinclair rushed seven times for 57 yards on that drive.

Kirk got on the board with just 32 seconds remaining before halftime when Houston Harper kicked a 23-yard field goal.

The score was set up when Chris Harbin recovered a Centreville fumble and returned the ball to the 9-yard line.

The two teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, as Centreville scored on a 10-yard run by Hunter Brabham and Kirk answered with a 34-yard pass from Channing Martin to Houston.

However, Centreville put the game away in the fourth quarter, as the Tigers methodically drove 80 yards in nine plays for their final touchdown.

Sinclair once again came up big on the drive, as he rushed eight times for 68 yards and scored the touchdown on a 1-yard plunge with just over eight minutes remaining.

Even though it is Hurst’s eighth state championship, he said the feeling never gets old.

“This whole season has been fun and exciting,” Hurst said. “(This championship) feels like the first one for me. God has blessed me to have the opportunity to coach these young men.”

While the state title is Hurst’s eighth, it is Sinclair’s second and he wants to go out with a three-peat in his senior year.

“Last year I said I was going to get two more rings,” Sinclair said. “I got one this year and now I’ve got one more to go.”