STARKVILLE — Raleigh leaned on its trademark defense one final time Saturday, stuffing Noxubee County on fourth down with six seconds remaining to preserve a 12-6 victory and claim the MHSAA Class 3A state championship at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.
The title is the second in program history for Raleigh and first since 2022.
“To begin the game we were doing whatever we wanted to do but Noxubee County made an adjustment and they started making plays on us. We couldn’t move the ball,” said Raleigh coach Ryan Higdon. “We had to bow our necks at the end and that’s what our program is about. I can’t describe how proud I am of our guys.
Senior running back J.J. McCullum scored both Lions touchdowns — plunging in from 2 yards with 7:24 left in the first quarter and from 1 yard with 4:01 remaining in the second — to stake Raleigh (14-1) to a 12-0 halftime lead.
Noxubee County (11-4) answered when Mississippi State commit Jaiden Taylor scored on a 15-yard run with 55 seconds left in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 12-6.
The Tigers’ defense forced a punt and took over at their own 16-yard line with 3:51 to play. Seventeen plays later, Noxubee County faced fourth-and-goal from the Raleigh 6. Taylor was dropped for a loss, sealing the Lions’ victory.
“This group wanted to prove that we still play defense and that teams were going to have to put us a way to beat us. I’m just so happy for winning a second state title here,” Higdon said. “A lot of people doubted these kids and they had something to prove to get back to this game and win it and they did.”
McCullum rushed 10 times for 33 yards with the two scores and added eight tackles to earn game MVP honors.
“We have a lot of players on this team that can make plays and today everyone stepped up. Defensively we had to be physical and be smart and we did that today,” McCullum said. “Big-time players make big-time plays and to win it my senior year is a great feeling.”
Taylor carried 22 times for 90 yards and the Tigers’ lone touchdown. Noxubee County has lost four consecutive state championship games and five of the last six.
“We had opportunities on the last drive with a play here or there, but I have to do a better job of play calling,” Noxubee County coach Teddy Young said. “Defensively we played great but I have to do a better of job of putting our guys in better situations.”
