The Wilkinson County High School Wildcats scored 38 points in the second quarter to break open a close game as the Wildcats defeated the Wesson High School Cobras 80-47 Friday night in an MHSAA Region 7-3A game.

“We’re glad we won the game. But we’ve got to do better in special teams,” Wilkinson County head coach Kenneth Brown said. “Wesson kept bringing it to and they even went up on us.”

Wesson (4-7, 0-5) took an early 6-0 lead and then led Wilkinson County 14-8 with 3:44 to go in the first quarter before the Wildcats the lead for good at 16-14 with 1:09 to go in the opening quarter.

The Wildcats scored five touchdowns and converted on four of five two-point conversions to take a 54-27 lead into halftime. They scored 20 straight points to make it a 74-27 ball game early in the fourth quarter.

Terrell Coleman led Wilkinson County’s ground game with 167 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. Terry Mealey also had three touchdown runs.

Ja’Quorias Stewart completed all 10 of his passes for 184 yards to go with a two-yard TD run. Terry Mealey had three touchdown runs of his own. TreShaud Smith scored touchdowns on offense and defense while Kevoisier Franklin returned an interception 100 yards for a touchdown.

“We’re excited to be in the playoffs. We’ve got to be more focused and a lot more disciplined,” Brown said.

Wilkinson County (7-4, 4-1) finished second in Region 7-3A and will most likely host West Marion in the first round of the MHSAA Class 3A Playoffs next Friday at 7 p.m.