WOODVILLE — Wilkinson County Christian Academy was looking to give Ray McDaniel both his first win and a good first impression in his inaugural game as the Rams’ head coach.

And for the most part, WCCA succeeded as the Rams rolled to a 48-14 win over the Ben’s Ford Christian School Eagles Friday night.

“It feels good,” McDaniel said after the game. “The kids played hard and gave great effort. I’m very pleased to get a win in the first game. Hopefully, there will be a lot more to come.”

WCCA was led by a stout running game which had its way with Ben’s Ford defense. Josh Gayle led the Rams in rushing with 127 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. Tramel McKinsey had 11 carries for 87 yards and a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs while Kaleb Sterling added 78 yards rushing on five carries and two touchdowns of his own.

“The running backs ran hard. We played well in the first half,” McDaniel said.

As a team, WCCA had 361 yards of total offense — all on the ground. The Rams didn’t even attempt a pass and they did not have to punt the ball, either. And their defense was outstanding.

McKinsey’s touchdown runs were set up by fumble recoveries from DeQuincy Thompson, who also had 11 tackles, including two quarterback sacks. Duncan Ashley added nine tackles. Gayle and Cobie McGehee each had eight tackles.

The Rams’ defense held Ben’s Ford to seven first downs, minus-8 yards rushing on 24 attempts and 18 yards of total offense.

“On defense, we had 11 people who were getting to the ball,” McDaniel said.

However, there were a few things McDaniel said must improve immediately if the Rams are to be better than they were last year.

“The offensive line has to get better. We also had a breakdown on special teams,” he said.

WCCA had a 21-0 lead late in the first quarter after McKinsey’s first touchdown of the game. But on the ensuing kickoff, Cameron Chattelier returned it 83 yards for a touchdown and added the two-point conversion.

Then late in the game with the outcome already decided, Ben’s Ford got through the offensive line and to the quarterback, forcing a fumble that Drew Creel returned 52 yards for a touchdown.

The game was delayed for 25 minutes in the second quarter after the Eagles’ Jordan Thomas went down with a severe leg injury and had to be taken away by an ambulance.

One play later McKinsey scored his first touchdown that put the Rams head 35-8 at halftime.

WCCA (1-0) hosts Prentiss Christian at 7 p.m. Friday.

Centreville 45,

Amite School Center 12

LIBERTY — Colton Terrell had two touchdown runs and Centreville Academy got touchdowns from its defense and special teams in a decisive win over Amite School Center Friday night.

The game also marked the return of Cliff Hurst, who had knee surgery earlier this year. His return surprised some people at the game — especially considering he still can’t kick the ball as he recovers from his injury.

But he did well when he was on the field with the offense. He had an 18-yard touchdown run to cap off the Tigers’ 20-point first quarter and completed one of two passes for 28 yards.

Terrell had a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and added a 34-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Mark Curry picked off a pass and ran it back 85 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter to give Centreville a 39-6 halftime lead.

Amite School Center’s only touchdown of the first half was on a 2-yard run by Josh Cordenas in the second half. The extra point was no good.

Even though Gage Chandler struggled on his extra points after making his first two of the game, he made up for that by returning the opening kickoff to start the second half 82 yards for a touchdown as the Tigers went ahead 45-6. The Rebels scored in the fourth quarter on a 24-yard run by Bull Toler.

Tyler Towles completed 2 of 3 passes for 73 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown pass to Colby Shaw early in the second quarter. Shaw ended up with three catches for 101 yards. Hunter Travis led Centreville in rushing with seven carries for 80 yards.

Centreville Academy (1-0) hosts Trinity Episcopal at 7 p.m. next Friday.