Bryce McKinnis for VYPE
MOORE — Moore High School head coach Greg Bryant was soaked from head-to-toe in blue Gatorade near Moore Stadium’s east end zone.
“It’s sticky, cold” the Lions’ third-year head man said, “but usually when you get it, you’re winning, right? So I’ll take this uncomfortable feeling for a win.”
Moore defeated Westmoore 35-3 to claim its second Moore War win in 24 years in the rivalry’s 28th rendition Thursday night.
Malikai Miller wasn’t just the Lions’ starting quarterback. He was heroic in guiding the Lions to a 28-3 halftime lead. He drove the starting unit 80 yards on a seven-minute drive to start the game. Facing fourth-and-13 on the Westmoore 26-yard line, he found Jonnell Alexander for a 25-yard gain. A play later, Jaeden Williams scored the game’s first points on a 1-yard touchdown run.
“It’s good, you know, it’s not really a quarterback thing,” Miller said humbly after the game. “Being a quarterback is all about trust and commitment, and our guys are committed. They believe in me. I believe in them, which allows me to do my job and allows them to do their job.”
The Lions halted the Westmoore offense on three downs the following possession. What followed, a 65-yard Maverick Gardner bobbing-and-weaving punt return to extend Moore’s lead to two scores late in the first frame, was a display of raw talent.
“Maverick is a four-sport athlete. He excels at every sport he does,” Bryant said. “That’s where, in games like this, when you can have explosive plays pop off and pull some separation in the game, that’s big momentum. Rivalry games, the turning point, more times than not, is momentum plays like that.”
Thereafter, the shaken Jaguars offense struggled to find its footing. Moore’s suffocating defense made sure of it. Players like Nick Carden, who would later score a half-closing touchdown, and the entire Lions front line frequently found themselves in Westmoore’s backfield.
“That was the best defensive performance that we’ve ever had,” Miller said. “Nobody believed in us, and we showed out.”
Alexander later scored on a 44-yard air delivery from Miller. It was a welcome-to-the-big-leagues moment for Moore’s artillery after the recent departure of VYPE Top 100 defensive back CJ Simon, who transferred to Tuttle late in the offseason. Both seized the opportunity to prove they’re all the Lions need this year.
“They knew that once [Simon] left, that it was their time to step up. I think that it was just a confidence thing. So once they started getting reps and starting building that confidence — I always told them, ‘Y’all are going to make plays,’” Miller said. “As you saw tonight, they both [Gardner and Alexander] had one.”
“This means a lot for this school and this community, but most of all, the kids in our program,” Bryant said. “This is something they wanted to do, not just to beat this team, but to start as far as our steps for the 2024 season. We have a very strong senior class. This is one thing they wanted to check off, and I’m glad we’re able to do it.”
Moore’s season continues Friday, Sep. 13 against Southmoore.
