FAYETTE — Even though South Pike had its issues containing Jefferson County senior running back Robert Wells, it almost didn’t matter as the Eagles were less than 30 seconds away from their first win of the season.

That was until Kiwaski Tenner scored on a 4-yard run with just 22 seconds left in the game to give the Tigers a heart-stopping 28-24 win Friday night. Head coach James Herrington said that was the first time Jefferson County has ever defeated South Pike on the football field.

“It was a rough one. We jumped out on the first play from scrimmage and scored a touchdown,” Herrington said. “South Pike played outstanding defense.”

Wells, who finished with 239 yards on 19 carries, scored on an 86-yard run and Tenner ran in for the 2-point conversion and just like that Jefferson County was up 8-0. That lead would hold until the second quarter when Devonta McKnight outran the Tigers’ defense on a 94-yard touchdown run and Dewayne Pounds scored on a 2-point conversion run to make it an 8-8 game at halftime.

Craig Brown scored on a 5-yard run in the third quarter to give Jefferson County a 14-8 lead, but South Pike (0-5) answered with another 90-plus-yard run, this one a 95-yarder by William James and McKnight connected with Willard Hampton on the 2-point conversion for a 16-14 Eagles lead.

Tenner, who rushed for 75 yards on 18 carries, scored his first touchdown on a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter and he ran in for two as Jefferson County (3-1) would reclaim the lead at 22-16. Raheem Magee helped give the Eagles the lead later on in the quarter on a 1-yard run and Pounds once again was successful on the 2-point conversion run.

That was before Tenner won the game for the Tigers with his second touchdown run of the game.

“Our guys came out in the second half with more life. We wore them down with our running game,” said Herrington, who added that his team is starting to earn some respect around the area.

Josh Hobbs led Jefferson County’s defense with eight tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble. Brown, O’lajoawon O’Neal and David Truenell each had a fumble recovery with Brown and Truenell also having a forced fumble apiece.

Jefferson County begins the Region 7-3A part of its schedule next Friday night when it hosts Amite County at 7 p.m.

Wilkinson County 16,

Crystal Springs 6

CRYSTAL SPRINGS — Brandon Harton tallied 134 yards rushing and Brian Montgomery had 214 yards passing for Wilkinson County as the Wildcats beat Crystal Springs 16-6 Friday.

Montgomery also had 75 yards rushing, including a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Despite the win, Wildcats head coach Elbert Lyles said his team had a lot of mistakes in the game.

“We enjoyed the win, but we weren’t pleased with our performance,” Lyles said.

“We didn’t play up to par, and with a week to go before district (play), a lot has to go on before we can do what we need to against Franklin County next Friday.”

Lyles said a number of mental mistakes contributed to the overall sloppiness he saw from his team tonight.

“We have to be focused and in the right frame of mind, and I don’t think we’re there yet with the penalties we’re getting and the mistakes we’re making,” he said.

Wilkinson County got on the board in the first quarter on a 74-yard touchdown run by Harton. Graigland Freeman added a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter to make it 10-0 Wildcats at the half.

Montgomery’s third-quarter touchdown gave Wilkinson County six more points. Crystal Springs scored its only touchdown on a 60-yard catch by Jamario Benson.

Kenyon McDonald led the Wildcats in receptions with 116 yards on eight catches.

Devin Voorhies had two catches for 80 yards.

Wilkinson County improved to 4-1 on the season and begins Region 7-3A play next Friday at Franklin County.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m.