WOODVILLE — La’Dorian Peterson had 15 carries for 132 yards and one rushing touchdown to go with an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown as the Wilkinson County Wildcats held on for a 20-18 win over the Seminary Bulldogs Friday night in the semifinal round of the MHSAA Class 3A South State Playoffs.

“It’s one of those games where you’re glad to hang on for the win,” Wilkinson County head coach Kenneth Brown said. “We’re playing for South State for the first time. It’s good for the community. It’s good for the school district.”

All of the Wildcats’ scoring occurred in the first quarter. Peterson scored on a 38-yard run and then added his long punt return for a touchdown. Tralen Davis scored on a two-point conversion run after Peterson’s second touchdown. Devin Voorhies scored on a 37-yard run and at the end of the quarter, the Wildcats led Seminary 20-15.

And had it not been for a field goal by the Bulldogs in the third quarter that cut the lead to 20-18, that would have been all the scoring for both teams.

“Both teams settled down, and it became a defensive struggle,” Brown said. “Not to take anything away from Seminary, but we left some opportunities out there.”

Voorhies finished with 101 yards rushing on 15 carries, went 6-for-11 passing for 103 yards with one interception and led the defense with 10 tackles. Allenzae Staggers had five catches for 100 yards.

Division 7-3A runner-up Wilkinson County (11-3) will play host to Division 7-3A champion Hazlehurst at 7 p.m. Friday in the Class 3A South State Championship Game. Hazlehurst improved to 13-1 after defeating Tylertown, 34-12.