Bibb County Advances in thrilling 40-36 win over Mobile Christian

The Bibb County Choctaws (9-2) defeated the Mobile Christian Leopards (5-6), 40-36, in the first round of the 4A playoffs in what ended up being a thriller in Centreville.

The Leopards jumped out to a 14-0 lead to start the game as QB Miguel Camboia earned touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

The Bibb County offense finally got on the board in the second quarter, as RB Jaison Taylor earned a 1-yard touchdown run. The Choctaw defense immediately forced the Leopards to go three-and-out on their next drive which resulted in a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by DB Jacob Simmons, making the score 14-12 with 6:40 left in the half.

Both teams traded touchdowns to start the third quarter before the Leopards found the end zone once again as RB Patrick Sullivan Jr. earned his second rushing touchdown of the night, putting Mobile Christian up 29-20 with 3:20 left in the third quarter.

Bibb County later responded opening the scoring in the fourth quarter on a QB John Downs 15-yard touchdown pass to WR Mikah Bayles, narrowing the score to 29-27.

Downs finished 10-of-17 passing for 198 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

After a big defensive stop, the Choctaws marched down the field and Taylor earned his second touchdown of the night, giving Bibb County its first lead of the game, 33-29 with 3:28 left in the fourth quarter.

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The home crowd roared as the Leopards came on the field facing fourth down with less than three minutes to play. Camboia immediately silenced the crowd, connecting with Aaron Rogers on a 60-yard touchdown pass giving Mobile Christian a 36-33 lead with 2:02 remaining.

The Choctaw offense returned to the field with less than two minutes on the clock to try and win the game. After completing three passes, John Downs was brought down by the defense in bounds forcing the Choctaws to use a timeout. On the very next play, Downs connected with WR Steven Cash on a 41-yard touchdown pass with 37 seconds left putting the Choctaws up for good 40-36.

“We preach to our players all the time, it’s not over till it’s over,” said Bibb County head coach Matt Geohagan. “You cannot quit and this is something that our program really embodies.”

Bibb County advances to face Handley in the next round of the playoffs.