By Maurice Singleton/Sports Writer

BILOXI — Biloxi (3-6, 2-3) scored on its second play in overtime to give the Indians a 42-35 win over the West Harrison Hurricanes (6-4, 2-4) on Friday night, which may earn them a spot in the 7A playoffs.

Speedy senior running back/wide receiver William Lai lined up at the quarterback position for both snaps in overtime, picking up two yards on the first snap, then outracing the Hurricanes defense on a right sweep from 8 yards out to the end zone to give the Indians their third lead of the game and the win over the heavily-favored Hurricanes.

Biloxi’s defense played a big part in the win as they held the potent Hurricanes rushing attack from scoring on their possession in overtime. After getting the ball first, the Hurricanes were backed up on third down, facing a fourth-and-11. The pressure from the Biloxi defense forced an incomplete pass short of target.

“There had been so much outside talk that we couldn’t get it done, we weren’t good enough, blaming the coach. And I think that got into our head,” said Biloxi head coach Jamey Dubose. “And it’s been a mental game the rest of the year. This week we just kept talking about how good you really are. The coaches were involved in it. We had a great week of work, a great week of practice, and they came out here and did what they had to do.

“They knew that their backs were up against the wall, and that we had to win,” said Dubose. “And we had to win by seven. So, they got it done tonight.”

The Indians trailed 35-27 with 5:28 left on the fourth quarter clock, but the offense responded with a 14-play 70-yard drive, including two fourth down conversions. Junior quarterback Jordan Ramsey led the Indians down field, completing seven of 11 passes, connecting with Richard Stitt from 11 yards out for the touchdown to pull within two (35-33) of the Hurricanes with :41.6 left of the game clock.

So, the Indians went for two, and Ramsey took the snap, ran right and shuffled the pass into the hands of tight end Anthony Lewis who followed the blocking of the right guard into the end zone for a successful two-point conversion, tying the game at 35-35.

And Biloxi’s defense did its job on the Hurricanes’ ensuing possession. The Hurricanes advanced the ball from their own 13-yard line to Biloxi’s 38-yard line, but time ran out on then in regulation.

On the night, the Hurricanes did exactly what they wanted to do offensively, rushing for 434 yards, with 236 of those yards coming from senior running back Sean Fairley who scored two touchdowns, including an 80-yarder. Senior running back Jordan Stapleton carried the ball 19 times for 138 yards and three touchdowns, including a 44-yard scoring carry.

Ramsey led the Indians offense, completing 18 of twenty-five passes for 175yards and three touchdowns and a 2-point conversion. Junior running back Jojo Thomas led Biloxi rushers with 82 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Fifty of those yards came on a single run in the second quarter. Lai added 63 yards rushing for the Indians and two touchdowns, the first a 53-yarder from scrimmage.

Biloxi resumes play next Friday on the road at D’Iberville (7-2, 3-2). West Harrison’s season ended on Friday.