RIPLEY - With its back against the wall, a young Ripley team needed to lean on its most experienced star.

Facing third-and-short at their own 11-yard line, senior linebacker Jaylen Brooks broke through the line with back-to-back tackles, including the game-sealing turnover on downs to preserve a dramatic 30-26 Region 1-4A win over Tishomingo County on Friday night.

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