Mississippi Power Booneville Defeats Tanner 48-21

Mississippi Power Booneville Defeats Tanner 48-21: Zion Nunn showcased his running prowess with three touchdowns, leading Booneville to a 48-21 victory over the eighth-ranked Tanner in a game held at Rip Swanner Stadium in Tanner. The Blue Devils, standing at No. 6 in Mississippi Class 3A, secured their fourth consecutive win and improved to an 8-2 record.

Nunn’s touchdowns came from distances of 2, 39, and 34 yards, contributing to Booneville’s 27-14 halftime lead. Quarterback Noah Gillon, a junior with offers from Troy and Austin Peay, added to the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tre Miller and a 15-yard rushing touchdown. Tapp Fraiser contributed a 34-yard touchdown run, and Dekiaden Gaston scored on a 16-yard run.

Tanner (7-3) had Karl Parham throwing a 51-yard touchdown pass to Skylar Townsend, and he also scored on a 17-yard run. Tailan Hall added a 74-yard touchdown run. Despite not punting, the Rattlers faced multiple turnovers on downs and committed six other turnovers, ending their seven-game win streak.

Booneville coach Scott Brown praised his team’s preparation, acknowledging the athleticism of Tanner. The Blue Devils aimed for balance in their offensive strategy, successfully challenging their offensive line against Tanner’s strong defensive front.

The play of the game featured Gaston returning the opening kickoff 63 yards to the Tanner 10, setting up Nunn’s touchdown from the 2. Nunn scored again from the 39 after Tanner muffed the ensuing kickoff. Booneville secured a 14-0 lead at 9:38 in the first quarter.

Key stats include Nunn’s impressive performance with 233 yards on 22 carries and three touchdowns. Fraiser contributed with two carries for 91 yards and a touchdown. Gillon demonstrated both passing and rushing skills, completing 8-of-13 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown while running for a touchdown. Defensive end Jayden Williams stood out with seven tackles, including two sacks.

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Booneville dominated with a total of 435 yards, 378 rushing and 57 passing, while Tanner accumulated 465 total yards, 208 rushing and 257 passing. Tanner’s struggles included six turnovers, with four interceptions and two fumbles. This victory marked Booneville’s first win against Tanner in their one-game history.

Junior running back/safety Nunn received praise for his determined runs, showcasing a “dog mentality.” Coach Brown acknowledged the significance of winning in Alabama, a football-rich state, and expressed satisfaction with the team’s execution.

Looking ahead, Booneville will host Amanda Elzy in the Mississippi 3A playoffs, while Tanner, after an open week, will host Lamar County in the 2A first round.