WOODVILLE — Wilkinson County Christian Academy had to overcome a one-hour weather delay and a good Prentiss Christian School team to advance to the semifinals of the MAIS Class A-AA State Playoffs.

Led by the running of Caleb Poole, good punting by Phillip Cutrer, and an opportunistic defense, the No. 1 seed Rams went on to defeat the No. 8 seed Saints 16-0 Friday night to get close to their ultimate goal.

Kickoff was scheduled to take place at 7 p.m., but lightning from thunderstorms in the Woodville area forced both teams of the field and back to their respective locker rooms. Finally, the game got under way at 8 p.m.

“Conditions were unfavorable for anyone,” Rams head coach Christopher McGraw said. “But the boys played hard.”

It didn’t matter for WCCA, which scored on its first drive of the game. The drive took eight plays and went 75 yards and was capped off by Steven Franks’ 27-yard touchdown run. Poole ran in for the two-point conversion to give the Rams an 8-0 lead with 2:31 to go in the first quarter.

Then nearly midway through the third quarter, Cutrer punted the ball and pinned Prentiss Christian (10-2) at its own two-yard line. On third down, a bad snap by the Saints’ center went through the end zone and the result was a safety and two points for WCCA.

Poole ran from one yard out with 2:52 remaining in the game to finish off the Saints.

“We were outmatched up front. But our line played well,” McGraw said. “All of our backs ran hard tonight. They understood that we had to run downhill. They’re a lot like us. We play better against those teams that are physical.”

Poole finished with 142 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries. Franks finished with 44 yards and a touchdown on six carries while Kyle Folds had nine carries for 36 yards.

Poole also intercepted two passes, one of which McGraw said was of the one-handed variety and returned to midfield. Braden Passinger led the team in tackles with 11 to go with one sack. Luke Littleton had 10 tackles, Franks had one sack, and Sam Nicholas and Hunter Burgess each had one fumble recovery.

WCCA (10-2) will play host to No. 13 seed Benton Academy next Friday at 7 p.m. Benton Academy upset No. 5 seed Winona Christian School on the road 38-0 Thursday night.