MONTGOMERY — Mississippi College (9-2) defeated Huntingdon College (8-3) 56-35 in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Championship Playoffs Saturday.
Former West Limestone High standout Tommy Reyer finished the game with 11 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown for the winner.
The Choctaws advance to play Wesley College (Delaware) next weekend in a second round game.
Senior quarterback Adam Shaffer passed for 343 yards and four touchdowns by completing 20-30 passes in the win. Shaffer set a new single season passing touchdown mark at Mississippi College with 33 this season, breaking his old record of 31. Junior tailback Steven Knight went over the100-yard mark for the 8th straight game finishing with 125 yards on 24 carries and three scores. Knight has 1,308 yards on the ground this year.
The Choctaws quickly jumped on the Hawks building a 28-7 first quarter lead behind three touchdowns passes from quarterback Shaffer and a fumble return for a touchdown from nose guard Larry Walker. Shaffer threw a 21-yard touchdown to tight end Renard Ellis on the opening possession and later found tight end Cody Goss from 29 yards on the second drive. Huntingdon answered with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Willie McDowell from quarterback Justin Ridgeway to pull within 14-7.
After a Huntingdon stop, freshman safety Tramichael Dale forced a fumble for the Choctaws that Walker picked up and carried 16 yards into the end zone. Dale also picked off a pass on the next possession setting up a 9-yard Shaffer scoring toss to Wesley Boudreaux.
