Mount Pleasant’s Monty James Accounts for 8 Touchdowns in 54-49 Win Over Hallsville

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Mount Pleasant quarterback Monty James threw seven touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the Tigers to a 54-49 win against Hallsville in District 14-4A action Friday night.

James completed 33 of 45 passes for 429 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, and ran 13 times for 105 yards and a score. James' 33-yard scramble for a touchdown with 1:55 remaining put Mount Pleasant ahead 54-49. Teammate Laderius Craddock picked off Hallsville at the Tiger 12-yard line with 42 seconds remaining to secure the win, which makes Mount Pleasant 7-2 overall and 3-1 in 14-4A.

Mount Pleasant receiver K.D. Cannon caught 14 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown, while fellow junior Andrew Flanagan snagged 12 passes for 148 yards and two scores. Tarrence Taylor ran 11 times for 77 yards.

Mount Pleasant outgained Hallsville 613-433.

Junior quarterback Macailyn Wilder had a huge night for Hallsville (6-3, 2-2), carrying the ball 21 times for 172 yard and five touchdowns. Wilder ran for four second-half touchdowns to lead the Bobcats back from a 28-14 halftime deficit to a 49-48 lead with 5:56 remaining on an 11-yard touchdown sprint. That was Hallsville's only lead of the game.

Mount Pleasant answered with a four-minute drive culminating in James' 33-yard touchdown scramble, which saw him reverse field twice and zig-zag his way to the end zone.

Hallsville's Austin Toney completed 11 of 15 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown, while Andre Jones caught six passes for 86 yards and returned the second half-opening kickoff 85 yards for a score that cut Mount Pleasant's lead to 28-21. Hallsville's Thaddeus Fagan carried 11 times for 81 yards.

Both teams are already in the playoffs. Hallsville can clinch third place in 14-4A with a home win vs. Texas High next Friday. Mount Pleasant concludes the regular season at Pine Tree.