Alcorn defeats Southern for SWAC championship

The Alcorn State University football team defeated Southern University last night for the second year in a row to retain the SWAC championship title. The championship is the second one for head coach Fred McNair who took over the program in 2016.

The game went back and forth with the teams trading the lead. In the middle of the fourth quarter, the Southern Jaguars (8-5) were leading the game 24-22 before the Alcorn Braves (9-3) made a big comeback. The Braves scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

Alcorn’s defense stepped up forcing Southern quarterback Ladarius Skeleton to throw three interceptions in the game. One was returned for a Braves touchdown by Taurence Wilson.

Alcorn went on to win the game with a score of 39-24. Alcorn Quarterback Felix Harper finished the game with 226 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His top receiver for the game was LeCharles Pringle who had five catches for 125 yards and one touchdown. Pringle was also named the MVP for the game.

Niko Duffey had the most rushing yards for the Braves, rushing for 63 yards on 15 carries, while De’Shawn Waller had 52 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown. Trey Turner also had a three yard touchdown for the Alcorn victory.

Two former Vicksburg High School football stars are on this championship squad. Elmer Johnson and Alec Bailey are the two local players who will receive their championship rings this year.

Alcorn will be traveling to Atlanta for the Celebration Bowl against North Carolina A&T on Dec. 21.