LIBERTY — Wilkinson County High School quarterback Desmond Hunter threw for 403 yards and five touchdowns as the Wildcats overcame a slow start to defeat the Amite County Trojans 44-36 Friday night.

Hunter completed 17 of 25 passes and had just one interception. Three of his wide receivers had over 100 yards threw the air – Robert Swint with four catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns; Juan Anthony, who had a team-leading six receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown; and Travion Jones, who caught four passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite the offensive outburst over the final three quarters, Wilkinson County head coach Kenneth Brown was none too pleased with how his team came out of the blocks.

“We redirected their minds at halftime to give them a chance to win a ball game. We knew we were playing flat for whatever reason. We were trying to get their attention and motivate them,” Brown said.

Amite County jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter and had a 14-6 lead with 1:35 to go in the second quarter before the Wildcats scored less than a minute later to cut the lead to 14-12 going into halftime.

Then in the third quarter, the Wildcats had their way with the Trojans, even scoring on a fumble recovery. Led by Hunter’s passing prowess and an opportunistic defense, Wilkinson County outscored Amite County 20-0 in the third quarter to take a 31-24 lead.

But the Trojans would not go away quietly. They cut the Wildcats’ lead to eight points twice in the fourth quarter, but the defense could not keep the opposition out of the end zone on a couple of occasions and that proved to be big.

“Oh yes, we brought the intensity, and they made some good throws and good catches. Defensively, we still have to find a way to get off of the field,” Brown said. “The corners have to play tougher. I don’t mind some contact.

As for the first half, Brown said that his offense simply did not get many opportunities to do anything.

“We protected the ball. The first half…we felt like they were more up than we were,” Brown said. “We might’ve got one or two touches, but we just didn’t have the ball enough.”

Wilkinson County (2-0) will have a home game next Friday at 7 p.m. against an unfamiliar and unknown opponent in Zachary (La.) High School.