CENTREVILLE — Copiah Academy went into Friday night’s MPSA Class AA South State second-round game against Centreville Academy with an 11-1 record, which included wins over the likes of Leake Academy, Oak Forest and Simpson Academy.

The Colonels are also the defending Class AA South State and State champions. Yet despite all that, the District 4-AA runners-up were the underdogs against the 10-2 and District 5-AA champion Tigers.

Perhaps it was because Centreville has been undefeated at home this season. And having the home-field advantage as well as the one-two punch of Zach Sinclair and Nick Goudeau helped the Tigers defeat the Colonels 35-12.

Sinclair, who didn’t do much in the first half, finished with 204 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 15 carries.

With the win, Centreville (11-2) will have a rematch with the undefeated Trinity Episcopal Saints next Friday at 7 p.m. at Trinity, but the stakes will be much higher — the MPSA Class AA South State Championship will be on the line.

Goudeau, who had 120 of his 159 rushing yards in the first half, got things going for the Tigers when he ran in from 7 yards out four plays after they picked off a Daniel Sims pass at the Copiah 22-yard line. Kyle Brown’s extra point gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.

Centreville appeared on its way to making it a 14-0 game late in the second quarter when Goudeau ran 10 yards to the Copiah 4-yard line, only to fumble the ball. The Colonels fell on it and, three plays later, scored on a 1-yard run by Brandon Greer with 2:41 remaining until halftime. Richard Henley’s extra point made it a 7-7 game at the break.

Then Sinclair got loose in the second half. First he scored on a 38-yard run with 8:47 to go in the third quarter to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead. Then he added a 27-yard touchdown run with 2:45 to go in the quarter for a 21-7 lead.

After Sims scored on a 12-yard run 35 seconds into the fourth quarter, Centreville ended any thoughts of a rally by Copiah (11-2) when Sinclair scored on a 21-yard run with 7:46 left and Goudeau scored from 3 yards out with 4:10 to go in the ball game.

Sims was much of Copiah’s offense as had 11 carries for 46 yards and completed eight of 24 passes for 171 yards, but he also threw three interceptions.

Russ Vine and Alex Stewart led Centreville’s defense with eight tackles each. Goudeau, Adam Perry and Colby Lockwood each had an interception.