The Selma Times-Journal

Keith’s return to region play wasn’t a pretty one.

Visiting Southern Choctaw (5-1, 3-1 2A Region 1) rolled out to a 32-0 halftime lead and eventually went on to win 44-0.

The game marked the first time the Bears (1-5, 0-4) were shut out this season.

Their previous low in point production came in a 40-8 loss to Bayside Academy in Week 4.

One of the biggest plays for Keith on the night was a 50-yard kickoff return by Derrick James early in the game. The big return put the Bears on the Indians’ 40, but no points came of the good field position.

“They just outplayed us in every aspect of the game,” Keith coach Harry Crum said. “They were just a superior team. We had a couple of chances to get points after getting in good scoring position. Even after that return, we just weren’t able to get on track for a scoring drive.”

Freshman receiver Gerald Matthews had three catches for 80 yards. One of them was off a deflection in the second quarter and another was a circus catch falling out of bounds in the fourth.

Crum got a chance to look at some of his younger players during the game, and he liked what he saw. Many of them may have an impact during the rest of the season.

“Larry Molette, a seventh grader, played on defense and he impressed me with his heart and his effort,” Crum said. “Michael Giles is an eighth grader that usually plays special teams for me. He may start at corner next week.

“We need a spark somewhere, and hopefully, we’ll get it next week. We’ve got three region games left, and we hope to get on track.”