The city’s middle school football champions represent both North Memphis and South Memphis. Here’s a breakdown.
Humes 30, Bellevue 6
Chaz Wiseman, now in his third year as head coach at Humes Middle School, won his first championship with a 30-6 win over the Bellevue Bobcats.
The Tigers were led by QB Keyshawn Poole, Rodriquez Minor and Johnquavious Howard, who have led the Tigers all season. In fact, Bellevue dealt Humes their only loss this season, a dramatic double-OT loss just a few weeks ago.
“We forgot about that game that night,” Wiseman said. “We felt like we outplayed them, but we left some plays on the field. (This game,) we wanted to focus and finish.”
Poole scored the opening touchdown to give the Tigers the 8-0 early lead. Yarbrough later ran in a 60-yard TD to take a 14-0 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, Ahmad Summerall rushed for a 30-yard touchdown to take a commanding lead (22-0).
With just six seconds left in the third quarter, Bellevue’s Devon Martin went 60 yards to finally put the Bobcats on the scoreboard (22-6). In the final frame however, Poole ended all hopes for Bellevue with a 62-yard touchdown run.
Havenview 40, Germantown 8
In the large school division, the Havenview Tigers defeated the Germantown Red Devils 40-8.
This was a matchup of two undefeated programs. The Red Devils had not allowed an opponent to score on this all season.
Errol Harmon had been head coach at Havenview, but took a step down to defensive coordinator to give an opportunity to Derrick Bobo. Bobo once played for Harmon and served as offensive coordinator last season.
“I have a great group of guys,” Bobo said. “They did an outstanding job of executing the game plan. We always find a way to win. Our goal is a state championship, so we have work to do then we will party.”
The Tigers have been led by their defense this season. Taeshawn Jefferson, D’Coreyan Atkins and Kaleb Weston have been the leaders for the defensive unit.
Quarterback William Caver has been the Swiss army knife this season for the Tigers. He’s not only the quarterback, he also is a kick returner, nose guard and other positions. Caver scored two rushing touchdowns and another one on a kickoff return in the win over Germantown.
Zerius Short and Atkins scored the other offensive touchdowns for the Tigers. Jefferson scored the final touchdown of the game for Tigers on an interception that was returned.
Germantown’s lone touchdown was scored by Richard Robinson early in the game, giving the Red Devils an 8-6. Robinson later left with an injury.
Despite the score, Germantown head coach Rapheal Hammond had nothing but praise for his team after their first loss of the season.
“We had a great season. It is all about how you handle a loss,” Hammond said. “If you can learn from a loss that a loss is not a loss.”
Humes and Havenview each have one game left to play. The games will be Saturday; opponents, times and locations to be announced.
