Heritage shows toughness in beating Lamar
Courtesy of The Dispatch
The toughness Brad Butler has been looking for in the Heritage Academy football team surfaced in a big way Friday night.
Led by a strong defensive effort and a key fourth-down conversion in the fourth quarter, quarterback Brandon Bell scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard plunge to help lift Heritage Academy to a 22-14 victory against the Lamar School.
"I thought both teams played hard," Lamar School coach Mac Barnes said. "I thought the difference in the game was their toughness. They broke tackles time after time against, and I really think their quarterback is an outstanding player. He is a tough player to tackle."
Bell led the Patriots, who played without senior running back John Laws Ferguson, with 110 yards on 24 carries. He also was 8 of 12 for 86 yards with two interceptions.
The key sequence came in the third quarter with Lamar School leading 14-10. The Patriots capitalized on a fumble to take over at their 38. Bell connected with Parker Dunaway on a 16-yard pass play to kick-started the push. Bell then added runs of 12, 8, and three yards before Stance Henderson had 13 yards on two runs and Zach Taylor added a 2-yard run to push the game into the fourth quarter.
Henderson gained 3 yards on third down to set the stage for a fourth-and-2 play with a little more than 11 minutes remaining in the game. Bell found Dunaway for a 2-yard gain that gave the Patriots just enough to keep the drive alive.
"I got to the end of the coaches box and looked at a manager and asked him, 'What do you think?' " Butler said. "He said, 'Coach, we got it.' I said, 'Are you sure or are you just wishing?' It was just enough. Those are some big plays on fourth down we got and I am looking at the time and looking at the score and wondering, 'Do we need to kick a field goal?' There are a lot of things going on and you only have 25 seconds to make a play call. When your guys are playing hard they make you look smart sometimes. They played hard enough to get that extra inch we need." Bell gained 3 yards on first down and then plunged ahead 1 more yard on the next play to help Heritage Academy take a 16-14 lead.
Bell, a junior transfer from Caledonia High, threw two interceptions but did a good job shaking off that frustration to lead his team down the field.
"Coach told me I just had to try my best and get back in there, and that's what I did," Bell said. "We just said we're going to have to suck it up and come out here and do our best."
Butler credited his players for their effort on a night when they overcame plenty of obstacles. He said the patriots took advantage of the Raiders in the rushing game just enough times to move the ball in key spots, especially in the second half.
"We came out and stayed with our game plan," Butler said. "The defense was lights out there when they had to. It's a big win for these guys. We had a lot of guys banged up and they showed their guts there at the end."
Cade Lott's 23-yard run in the final moments helped push the margin to eight points. A failed conversion gave the Raiders life -- and created some anxious moments for Butler -- but the score stayed the same.
Barnes congratulated Heritage Academy for helping to force two fumbles. He said his team didn't do a good job preparing all week and needs to grow up.
"They played well," Barnes said. "We have a lot of growing up to do if we are even going to think about making the playoffs (in Class AA)."
On the other hand, Heritage Academy, a Class AAA school, won its second game in a row coming back from a one-point loss to Winston Academy. The players talked earlier in the week about erasing the memory of losses to Lamar School and Madison-Ridgeland Academy last season that transformed a 3-0 start into a 3-8 finish.
One game won't secure a playoff victory, especially against a team in a different classification, but Heritage Academy will try to build on its run next week when it takes on MRA.
"We had a good week of practice this week, and we just have to work harder next week," Bell said.
Said Butler, "We just have to keep playing hard. We're smaller than about everybody we're going to play. I told them a long time ago that when you're undersized you have to play harder than everybody else. .If we're going to keep this thing rolling, we have to play harder than everybody we play each Friday night."

North Delta cashes in at Indianola

Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas

In a huge District 1AA battle last night in Indianola the 6th ranked North Delta Green Wave scored 17 points off of six Colonel turnovers to hand 7th ranked Indianola a 24-13 home loss. Playing without starting tailback Tres Brasell, North Delta still managed to roll up 210 yards on the ground to earn an important district road win heading into an open week. (Above) Indianola tailback Cody Maxey fights for yardage
Indianola jumped out to a 7-0 lead on its’ first possession as the Colonels put together a 58 yard, 13 play drive that consumed 5:22 of the opening quarter. Dustin Roncali’s 19 yard kickoff return set the Colonels up at their own 42 yard line to begin their opening drive. Indianola quarterback Caleb Dodson scrambled for 12 yards on a 3rd and 5 from the North Delta 49 yard line and then hit wide-out Luke Hargett for a 20 yard pickup four plays later at the Green Wave 18 yard line. Dodson capped the scoring drive with a 3 yard keeper at the 6:38 mark and Zach Whitfield added the PAT to give the Colonels an early 7-0 advantage.
North Delta quickly moved into Indianola territory on their first possession as senior quarterback Bryan Nickle connected with Corbin Baker for 19 yards and a Nickle keeper had the Green Wave sitting at Indianola’s 47 yard line. Tailback John Cody Dalrymple plowed ahead for 9 yards to advance the ball to the Colonel 38 yard line but Dalrymple fumbled two plays later and Indianola linebacker Taylor Marlow recovered at the Colonel’s 35 yard line with 3:56 remaining in the opening quarter to kill the North Delta drive. (Above) Game changer: Bryan Nickle strips Indianola linebacker Taylor Marlow of the ball
Indianola looked primed to capitalize on the North Delta turnover as they marched 32 yards into Green Wave territory but the drive appeared to have stalled out at the Green Wave 33 yard line with 1:10 remaining in the quarter. Facing a 4th and 3 Caleb Dodson hit sophomore wide-out Trey Roberson with a perfectly thrown ball on a sideline route for what appeared to be a 33 yard touchdown strike but a Colonel motion penalty negated the play forcing Indianola to punt.
Indianola looked to add to their lead once again on their next possession when they took over at their own 18 yard line following a North Delta punt three minutes into the second quarter. Caleb Dodson connected with Trey Roberson for a big 50 yard gain to the Green Wave 32 yard line. Two plays later and Dodson hit tight-end Matthew Shamoun for a 21 yard pickup down to the North Delta 8 yard line but on a 1st and goal the Green Wave recovered a Cody Maxey fumble on the three yard line to squash the drive with 7:45 remaining in the half. (Above) North Delta's Bryan Nickle in the grasp of Indianola's Dalton Bills
North Delta proceeded to put together the drive of the night as the Green Wave took over after the Indianola turnover at the 3 yard line. In a drive that consisted of 17 plays and 97 yards, only one was a pass as Bryan Nickle hooked up with Chris Rodgers for a modest nine yard gain midway through the drive. The remaining 16 plays were Nickle, Chris Rodgers and John Cody Dalrymple grounding out 88 rushing yards that culminated on a Rogers one yard score with 10 seconds left in the half. Kyle Devazier’s PAT capped of the drive that consumed 7:35 and sent both squads into the locker-room at the half knotted up at 7-7. (Above) Indianola quarterback Caleb Dodson (#17)
In a wild 3rd quarter that included two Indianola interceptions and a fumble and a North Delta fumble, the only score came on a heads up play by Green Wave quarterback Bryan Nickle with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter. After North Delta’s John Cody Dalrymple picked off a Caleb Dodson pass at the Colonel 47 yard line the Green Wave were looking to take their first lead of the night as they drove to the Indianola 23 but a Chris Rodgers fumble was recovered by Indianola linebacker Taylor Marlow at the 23. Marlow was attempting to advance the recovery when Green Wave quarterback Bryan Nickle stripped Marlow of the ball and raced 25 yards for a North Delta score with 2:13 left in the 3rd quarter. Kyle Devazier’s PAT gave North Delta a 14-7 edge.
After an Indianola three and out North Delta expanded their lead nearly three minutes into the 4th quarter. Chris Rodgers capped off a 7 play, 45 yard drive with an 11 yard run off left tackle for a score. Another Devazier PAT increased the Green Wave lead to 21-7 with 9:24 remaining in the game. (Above) North Delta quarterback Bryan Nickle
Indianola had lots of fight left in them and after Dalton Bills’ 31 yard kickoff return gave the Colonels excellent field position at midfield Indianola took only four plays and 1:05 to answer with a score of their own. Caleb Dodson hit Walt Grant for 15 quick yards on 1st down. Then two plays later Dodson found Luke Hargett for another 15 yards down to the Green Wave 20 yard line. Dodson hit wide-out Trey Roberson with a short crossing route that appeared to be for a short gain but the sophomore wouldn’t be denied as he broke three Green Wave tackles to reach pay-dirt at the 8:13 mark. Indianola’s two point attempt failed as Sy Pritchard hammered Dodson at the 5 yard line but the lead had been trimmed to 21-13.
North Delta took possession following the kickoff at their own 22 yard line with 8:09 remaining and methodically chewed up 43 yards in moving to the Indianola 35 yard line but more importantly burnt 5:25 off the clock. After a delay of game penalty on 4th down pushed the Green Wave back to the Colonel 40 yard line Indianola looked to make a final drive in a attempt to tie the game but Carson Bailey’s punt was mishandled by Caleb Dodson at the 10 yard line and recovered by North Delta’s Bryan Nickle. (Above) Indianola head coach Tommy Nester
North Delta cashed in on the Indianola fumble four plays later as Kyle Devazier nailed a 19 yard field goal with 1:38 remaining to give the Green Wave a 24-13 cushion.
North Delta senior defensive back John Cody Dalrymple iced the game with his 3rd interception of the night with 12 seconds remaining to preserve a 24-13 North Delta district road win.
With the win North Delta improves to 3-1 and 1-0 in district 1AA play while Indianola falls to 3-1 and 0-1.
North Delta will be idle next week before hosting Marshall in a week six district battle. Indianola travels to Washington next Friday night.
Bryan Nickle led North Delta with 78 yards on 16 carries and Chris Rodgers added 72 yards on 22 carries. Nickle was 6/9 for 104 yards passing.
Indianola quarterback Caleb Dodson was 16/19 for 199 yards but had 3 interceptions.
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Post game comments: North Delta head coach Dan Werner and quarterback Bryan Nickle

River Oaks focused on Apaches

By Cody Futrell

The River Oaks Mustangs (3-0) focus their sights on the first district 2-AA contest of the 2010 season this week as they host Glenbrook Academy.

River Oaks is coming off a convincing 43-0 victory over MAIS foe Porter's Chapel last Friday.

The Mustang defense came out with a bit of chip on their shoulders after allowing 24 points last week and they made quick work of the Porter's Chapel offense.

River Oaks allowed just six first downs and 61 yards of total offense (40 passing, 21 rushing) during the game.

Porter's Chapel rushed the football 24 times for an average of just 0.9 yards per carry.

"I think we came out and were excited to be there and to play," River Oaks head coach Robert Hannah said. "Our defense kind of felt like they had something to prove and the entire team played well."

On offense, River Oaks clicked from start to finish.

Quarterback Ryan McGregor completed 4-of-9 pass attempts for 96 yards and three scores while also rushing for 46 yards and a touchdown.

Henry Biedenharn rushed 13 times for 117 yards and one touchdown while Alex Biedenharn carried the football seven times for 61 yards. By the end of the night River Oaks had amassed 224 yards on the ground and 320 yards of total offense.

Vincent Moore and Joseph Hakim only caught one pass each during the game but both were for touchdowns.

McGregor has impressed the River Oaks coaches with his progress from last season.

"He is getting better with his passing accuracy," Hannah said. "I think he and Hakim are making a pretty good combination right now."

This week Glenbrook will present a challenge to the defensive front of River Oaks. Tailback Willie Thompson has been lighting up opposing defenses so far this season.

"They have a talented quarterback and running back," Hannah said. "They are a lot like us. They like to spread it out and get the ball to different people."

Hannah believes the success for the Mustangs this week could lie in how well the defense improves.

"Pass coverage is something we need to get better at this week," Hannah said. "On offense we need to keep scoring."

Kickoff at Chip Luffy Field is scheduled for 7 p.m. Fans who cannot make it out to the game can listen on the radio beginning with a pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. on KMLB 540 AM.

CONGRATULATIONS TUNICA SENIOR TAILBACK FREEMAN GRAY ON SETTING THE NEW MAIS SINGLE GAME RUSHING RECORD

North Delta pulls out late win
For Southern Sports & Travel, By Brad Greer
After skipping his junior year of football, Jim Tom Copeland decided to rejoin his North Delta teammates just days before their home opening win over Tunica Academy last week and for the Green Wave it could not have happened at a better time.
With his team trailing 22-20 with 1:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, Copeland used his lanky six-foot-four inch frame to snag a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Byran ' B' Nickle to give North Delta a 28-22 come-from-behind victory over Lee Academy Friday night in Clarksdale.
"B pretty much put the throw right on the spot just like he did most of the night and the offensive line gave him great pass protection. I just went up and got it," said Copeland of the game-winning reception. " Everybody on the team gave 100 percent and I was real proud of them the way we fought back after being down in the third quarter," said Copeland.
Copeland terrorized the smallish Lee defensive backs the entire evening by hauling in six receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wave back to a 22-7 third quarter deficit. Copeland's 17-yard scoring pass from Nickle narrowed the Colt lead to 22-13 with 5:03 remaining in the third period. Nickle was once again the catalyst for the Green Wave as the senor tallied up 296 total yards offense including a 64-yard gallop to close the Lee advantage to 22-20 with 9:31 remaining in the game. Nickle finished the night with 16 carries for 129 yards to go along with 167 yards through the air.
Lee (1-2), had one last gasp a victory after Copeland's game-winner catch but turned the ball over after Will Dunlap recovered a Ben Pierce fumble on the North Delta 45-yard line with 49 seconds to go in the game. The Green Wave was not out of the woods however as after taking a knee four straight times in a attempt to run out the clock, the Colts got the ball back with one second remaining only to have quarterback Blayke Hester's desperation pass fall to the turf as time expired.
The Colts were their own worst enemy in the first quarter as they fumbled twice deep inside Green Wave territory. Taylor Allen Flowers fumbled in the after being hit at the goal line to end Lee's opening drive of the game. Then on their next possession, Kasey Livingston pounced on a Bradley Willis fumble on the Green Wave 20 to halt another drive.
North Delta,(2-1) jumped out a 7-0 lead with 10:30 left in the second quarter on Tres Brasell's two-yard run that capped off a six-play 82-yard drive with Kyle Devazier adding his first of two successful extra point attempts. The drive was set up by pass completions of 36 and 27 yards from Nickle to Copeland. Brasell finished the night with 19 yards on four carries before sitting out the second half with a dislocated shoulder sustained in the second quarter.
Lee then took a 8-7 lead with 5:44 left in the second on a two-yard run by Taylor Tackett while Robert Bobo ran in the two-point conversion. The Colts added to their lead on the next series as Bobo picked off a Nickle pass at the North Delta 22 and returned to 34 yards to the Wave 44. Five plays later, Tackett took a screen pass from Hester and raced 15 yards for the score with one minute left before intermission.
Following the kickoff, North Delta marched down the field and threatened to score only to have Nickle fumble on the Colt five-yard line with three ticks left on the clock.
Lee extended their lead to 22-7 on the opening possession of the third quarter by marching 76 yards on nine plays capped off by Tackett's three-yard run and PAT attempt. Tackett finished the night with 37 yards on seven carries and two rushing touchdowns. The Colts rushed for 293 yards on the night with Willis leading the way with 23 carries for 120 yards. Hester added 10-of-12 passing for 103 yards and one touchdown
North Delta meanwhile registered 397 yards of offense with 230 coming via the ground game. Chris Rodgers had six carries for 50 yards while John Cody Dalrymple chipped in with 17 yards and three tackles and a fumble recovery on defense. Taylor Morris contributed with 15 yards on two totes. Dalrymple had one catch for 20 yards while Corbin Baker also caught one pass for 12 yards and led the Green Wave defense with ten tackles.
Pritchard followed Baker with eight tackles while Dunlap and Will Reynolds had seven and six stops each.
North Delta opens up District 1-AA play Friday night at Indianola starting at 7:30.

Hitting the Links with Shaq

Shaq hit the links at Carter Plantation in Springfield, LA this past Friday. He's in good company in the photo above. On the far left is my brother, Richie Thomas, and just to the left of Shaq is my cousin Ron Jenkins. The photo that is in most demand is Shaq in a golf cart.

Central Hinds takes critical road win
Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The 6th ranked Central Hinds Cougars took advantage of six Lamar turnovers and left Grey Cobb Field in Meridian with a convincing 31-14 win last night to improve to 3-0 on the season. Junior quarterback Jordan Currie passed for three touchdowns and ran for another and an opportunistic Central Hinds defense converted three of the Lamar turnovers into touchdowns as the Cougars avenged last season’s 55-28 loss to the Raiders. The leg of Pate DeMuth put Central Hinds on the board early as the junior nailed a 44 yard field goal four minutes into the opening quarter. The Central Hinds defense quickly put the Cougars back into scoring position. Senior linebacker Lee Douglas picked up a Lamar fumble on the Raider’s 33 yard line and returned it to the Lamar 6 with 7:45 remaining in the quarter. Three plays later quarterback Jordan Curry hit pay-dirt from one yard out, followed by Pate DeMuth’s PAT, as the Cougar’s increased the lead to 10-0.
Lamar answered midway through the second quarter by mounting a 10 play, 60 yard drive that took just over three minutes. The Raiders took possession at their own 40 yard line following a Central Hinds punt. Following a Tyler Harris to Charlie Nosco connection for 8 yards, Michael Marcello’s 14 yard burst advanced the Raiders to the Central Hinds 34 yard line. Lamar’s drive seemed to have stalled at the Central Hinds 5 yard line and facing a 4th and goal but Tyler Harris nailed tailback Gane Duggan in the end zone with 3:31 left in the half and Tyler Robert’s PAT trimmed to deficit to 10-7. Central Hinds found themselves at the Lamar 49 yard line following Beau Lowery’s 12 yard kickoff return of a Lamar squib kick. Five plays later Jordan Curry hit wide-out Pate DeMuth with a 34 yard touchdown pass with 1:17 left in the half and DeMuth added the PAT to push the Cougar advantage back to ten points at 17-7.
The turnover bug struck Lamar once again on its’ next possession. Tyler Harris hit Charlie Nosco with a nice catch and gain on 1st down but Nosco fumbled after a Central Hinds hit and defensive back Pate DeMuth made the recovery at the Cougar 43 yard line with 1:07 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Cougar quarterback Jordan Currie picked up 28 yards on a 1st down scamper and then 4 more yards to set Central Hinds up at the Lamar 25 yard line with 52 seconds remaining. Central Hinds then cashed in on the Lamar turnover as Currie hit tight-end Lu Price with a 25 yard touchdown pass. Pate DeMuth’s PAT increased the Central Hinds lead to 24-7. Lamar appeared to be threatening before the close of the half after taking possession at their own 20 yard line and quickly advancing to the Central Hinds 44 yard line with 23 seconds left but Beau Lowery’s interception of a Tyler Harris pass ended the threat and the half with the Cougars on top 24-7.
Central Hinds was the recipient of another Lamar turnover at the 5:28 mark of the 3rd quarterback as linebacker Jordan Currie recovered a Raider fumble at the Cougar 36 yard line. Following a sack by Lamar linebacker Will Fulton that pushed the Cougars back to the 31 yard line Currie hit Pate Demuth for a short 3 yard gain and then wide-out Kyle McNair for 13 yards to the Central Hinds 47 yard line. Five plays later Currie hit Pate DeMuth for a 35 yard hookup with 40 seconds left in the quarter and a touchdown to cap a 64 yard, 8 play drive. DeMuth’s PAT extended the margin to 31-7.Lamar would reach the end zone again at the 3:15 mark of the 4th quarter on a Tyler Harris 18 yard touchdown pass to Gane Duggan followed by a Tyler Roberts successful PAT and a final score of 31-14.
Central Hinds improves to 3-0 and will enter District 4AA play next week as they host Bowling Green. Bowling Green defeated Central Hinds 28-7 in Franklinton last season.
Lamar slips to 1-2 and will travel to Columbus to take on Heritage. Lamar defeated the Patriots 49-12 in 2009.
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Post game with Central Hinds head coach Todd Montgomery

Video clips below

Post game comments with Central Hinds quarterback Jordan Currie

Central Hinds quarterback Jordan Currie has racked up big numbers in leading the 5th ranked Cougars to a 3-0 record. Through three games the junior signal caller has rushed for 444 yards with a 9.4 yards per carry average. Along with 6 passing touchdowns and 4 rushing, Currie also added a 69 yard kickoff return in week one for a total of 11 touchdowns on the 2010 season.

Total dominance, Brookhaven rolling
For Southern Sports & Travel, By Brett Rutland
Brookhaven Academy’s Cougars welcomed the Riverfield Raiders from Rayville, La. Friday night, and coach Herbert Davis’ squad wasted little time in ending all doubt as to what the outcome would be. The Cougars scored 28 first quarter points en-route to a 60-6 drumming of the Raiders to improve to 3-0 on the season. Riverfield, a class A team, fell to 1-2 on the season.
Brookhaven took the opening kickoff and marched 62 yards in 6 plays before Eli Gatlin rumbled in from 14 yards out to give hosts a 7-0 lead with 10:18 left in the opening quarter after Tyler Trout added his first of a perfect 6 for 6 extra point attempts.

(Above) Brookhaven's defense limited Riverfield to 139 yards of total offense.
It took just five plays for the Raiders to respond, going 82 yards in five plays before Logan Cantu scored on a one yard run. The extra point attempt failed, and unfortunately for Riverfield, that was the last time they would get close to the end zone.
On the ensuing kickoff, junior wide receiver Bubba Keene took the Trey Presley kick and eluded defenders before racing 74 yards for the score. Brookhaven lead 14-6 after the Trout extra point with 7:13 left in the opening quarter.
Following a Riverfield punt, Brookhaven took one play as senior quarterback Chandler Rogers evaded tacklers before scrambling 34 yards for the score. Trout added the extra point for a 21-6 Brookhaven lead with 3:16 left in the first.
It took one play once again on Brookhaven’s next possession as Rogers found Jennings Mills streaking down the middle of the field for a 60 yard score, pushing the Brookhaven lead to 28-6 after the Trout PAT with 1:31 left in the opening quarter. The Cougars added two scores in the second quarter. Rogers scrambled 11 yards at the 6:53 mark, capping an 11 play, 88 yard drive with 6:53 left in the first half. Trout added the extra point for a 35-6 Brookhaven lead. (Above) Brookhaven quarterback Chandler Rogers had 2 passing tds and 2 rushing tds in one half of play.
The last score of the half for the Cougars came at the 1:16 mark as Rogers found senior receiver Sidney Chaffin on a 43 yard bomb, capping a 5 play, 96 yard drive. Trout added the extra point, giving the hosts a 42-6 lead at the half.
Jennings Mills opened the scoring of the second half for Brookhaven as he scored on a 13 yard run, topping of a 5 play, 60 yard drive for a 48-6 lead after a failed extra point attempt from Bubba Keene.
The Brookhaven starters gave way to the second and third string from that point on, and the subs responded with a 13 play, 70 yard drive that ended with Gage Posey scoring on a 13 yard run with 6:27 left in the contest. The extra point attempt failed, giving the Cougars a 54-6 lead.
The final score of the night came with 4 seconds left as Will Lucas picked off an Austin Crawford pass and returning it 33 yards for the score. There was no extra point attempt, ending the scoring at 60-6.
“We played well offensively, but there were a lot of areas we still need to work on.” said Davis. “Our defense had some week moments and gave up a big play or two and we’ve got to correct those things. At this time of the year, or seniors and returning players have got to step up and lead and get us through the tough games that are coming.”

(Above) Brookhaven defenders Bailey Hodge (#52) and CJ Duckworth (#42) take down a Riverfield rusher.
Rogers led the Brookhaven offense, completing 10 of his 18 pass attempts for 207 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, he picked up 105 yards on 5 carries with two more scores. Mills and Chaffin each led in receiving with 70 yards and a touchdown a piece. Mills rushed the ball 6 times for 45 yards and one score. Keene finished with 119 all purpose yards and one touchdown.
Patrick Cencer led Riverfield with 5 carries for 26 yards. Cole Mills followed with 6 carries for 17 yards. Austin Crawford was 2 for 12 passing for 84 yards. He was intercepted once.
On defense, Mark Rushing led the Brookhaven defense with 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. C.J. Duckworth followed with 12 stops. Cody Henley and Alan Michael Allred each followed with 8 tackles a piece. Will recorded and interception.
Brookhaven travels to Liberty Friday night to take on the Amite School Center Rebels in the first district game of the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

**Photos courtesy of Rhonda Posey**

Silliman's running game surprises Spartans
Courtesy of The Bastrop Enterprise
Coming into Friday night’s contest against Silliman Institute, Prairie View coach Reagan Morrison thought the Spartans had a game plan to stop the Wildcats wide-open offense.
In their Week Two contest against Bowling Green, Silliman threw the ball 41 times.
“We weren’t prepared for what they showed us,” Morrison said, as the Wildcats ran for almost 200 yards, taking a 49-33 win over the Spartans.
Jake Parsons scored on Silliman’s second play of the game to set the tone. The senior had 121 yards on 11 carries with four scores to pace the Wildcats effort.
PVA answered with a textbook 12-play, 70-yard drive, capped by Brandon Goodson’s one-yard dive to knot the score at seven with three minutes to play in the opening period.
Goodson paced the Spartans’ running game with 17 carries for 76 yards and two scores. As a team, Prairie View had 163 yards rushing and 202 yards passing.
“I think our offensive line did a great job tonight,” Morrison said.
After Prairie View tied the score, Silliman took a 13-7 lead when Parsons scored from 11 yards out on a fourth-and-five with 11:48 remaining in the half.
Prairie View took the lead on their next possession on Goodson’s 23 yard run and Sam Spire’s extra point.
It was short lived, however, as the Wildcats scored on the first play following the kickoff as Parsons shredded tacklers en route to a 62-yard run. A two-point conversion pass from Jason Palermo to Josh DeLee gave Silliman a seven point cushion.
Following an exchange of punts, the Spartans tied the game at 21 when Cody Smith connected with Hunter Smith from 17 yards out on a fourth-and-10 with 1:55 to play in the second quarter.
Forcing a Wildcats punt on their first possession of the third quarter, PVA took a 27-21 lead when Cody Smith found Sam Spires on a middle screen. Spires broke several tackles and then followed a key block by Mason Bunch to score from 65 yards out.
Spires, no doubt winded from the scoring play, saw his extra point blocked as the Spartans took a 27-21 lead with 8:45 to play in the third quarter.
Again, the Spartans couldn’t hold the lead as Silliman needed just three plays and less than a minute of the game clock. Palmero’s two-yard TD pass to Kory McLarrin was set up by a 49-yard connection with Trent Hornsby.
After a three-and-out by the Spartans, Silliman stretched its advantage with another drive that took little time off the clock. Receiver Michael Masters took the snap in the Wildcats version of the Wildcat offense and ran 64 yards to set up his 17-yard scamper two plays later with 3:50 to play in the third quarter.
The Spartans answered quickly, with a Jones-to-Spires connection netting 36 yards. Following Goodson’s 14-yard run, Spires crashed in from a yard out to cut the lead to 35-33 with 3:10 left in the period.
Prairie View’s defense forced a Silliman punt, and the Spartans had the ball deep in their own end of the field when Jones went back to Spires. Caleb Blackard’s interception gave the Wildcats the ball at the Spartans 11, and they needed just three plays before Parsons crashed in from the one.
Ducote’s 11-yard run with 8:20 left in the game provided the final points of the night.
With the loss, the Spartans stand at 0-3 on the season. In his post-game comments, Morrison told the team, “We are one or two plays away from being 2-1.”
“I can’t be more happy with the effort we’re showing,” the first-year coach said. “(Silliman) had a good game plan and executed it well, but I saw improvement over the effort we had last week. I’m extremely proud of our guys.”
Prairie View rounds out a three-game home stand at E.D. Baker Field next week against Riverdale.

From the notebook..............
**What a huge relief to see August depart and September arrive. September reinforces the feeling that football is here and cool Friday nights aren't far behind. Speaking of August, it's definitely frustrating seeing so many players suffer from leg cramps in the stiffling heat which brings me to my probing question...........Why are we starting football on August 20th? I recently received a comment stating that starting early brings in much needed funds to the schools. Great, but how would pushing the season back two weeks affect the gate? I haven't heard any suggestions to shorten the season but rather use some common sense in moving the starting date back so Jamborees aren't played just two weeks after July expires.
**Each week I do my best to select a featured game of the week to cover and report on. A few factors weigh heavily in making that decision such as quality of the teams, are they contenders and whether those squads get much media coverage. Jackson Academy's visit to Presbyterian fits two of those factors but does Jackson Academy really need any more media attention than they already receive? There are so many schools particularly in classes AA and A that receive very little, if any, media coverage and sometimes that coverage is so vanilla that the reader comes away not knowing much about a team after reading an article. Southern Sports & Travel has been able to expand coverage duly in part to contributing writers and generous newspaper publications who lend their skills to give much needed attention to a growing segment of the MAIS.
**This past Friday I made the four hour drive to Monroe to cover the Washington at River Oaks matchup and I left with two glaring observations. The first.......if there is a better football player in the MAIS than River Oaks senior Vincent Moore please bring him to my attention. I don't say this flippantly because I pride myself in having credibility and throwing out words like "the best in the MAIS" can quickly lead to a big loss of credibility if I'm called out and can't back something up. Moore displayed his versatility against a very good Washington team in so many different aspects of the game in the Mustang's 27-24 win. A dominating receiver with great hands and speed can quickly transition into a return specialist who can break a game open in a heartbeat or a defensive back capable of laying a huge hit on an opposing player. Did I mention Moore is equally effective as a tailback or running the shot-gun at quarterback? This young man has the size, speed, intelligence and skills to garner lots of attention from D-1 schools and if that attention doesn't come it will be an indictment of college recruiting rather than Moore's God given skills on the football field.
The second observation.........River Oaks silenced many doubters after defeating a big, physical Washington team. I have River Oaks at Trinity circled on my calender.
**Hardly a week goes by that something humorous doesn't happen on a Friday night. I remember vividly heading to Holly Springs on I-55 last season and after approaching a tricked out car in the right lane I decided to pass and take a gander at the drivers work of art. As I pulled up on the side I noticed two young guys slid deeply down into their seats with barely their heads showing with the radio blasting just enjoying life and acting all fly. I then turned my attention to the car directly in front of the two hipsters and noticed a long chain attaching the bumpers and an elderly lady towing the two at 55 mph.
A few weeks back while at the Copiah Jamboree I approached some MRA players that were kneeling in the end zone waiting to take the field. With the intense heat most coaches wore shorts as I did myself. I approached one of the young men and asked him to point out MRA head coach Mac Norwood. He quickly pointed to him as he walked in front of us and said "That's him with the little knotty legs" which I thought was humorous until I noticed him looking at my legs as if the comparison was similar. I quickly told the kid that he too would be an old guy with knotty legs one day.
**Thanks for all those who text updated scores each Friday night. This past Friday was a challenge due to my side-kick not making the trip to Monroe with me. Caring for two ailing parents has taken my wife from our usual Friday night routine with regards to posting live scores as they become available. After the conclusion of the River Oaks/Washington game I had 97 unread text messages with scores. I hope to do a better job this week.
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See ya somewhere........

Jackson Academy Invitational
@ Choctaw Trails, Clinton, MS
Monday August 30, 2010

Girls results:
Individual Winner - Landi Tubertini, Washington School, 13:31
Team Results: (Top-ten)
1. Jackson Prep - 39 Pts.
2. PCS - 45 Pts.
3. Silliman - 111 Pts.
4. Canton - 114 Pts.
5. Simpson - 146 Pts.
6. Trinity - 192 Pts.
7. Pillow - 211 Pts.
8. Columbia Academy - 231 Pts.
7. Jackson Academy - 232
10. Laurel Christian - 236

Boys Results:
Individual Winner - Jon Luke Watts, Columbia Academy, 18:27
Team Results: (Top-ten)
1. Jackson Prep - 55 Pts
2. Columbia Academy - 61 Pts
3. Jackson Academy - 74 Pts
4. PCS - 100 Pts.
5. MRA - 206 Pts.
6. Chamberlain Hunt - 233 Pts.
7. Starkville - 233 Pts.
6. SIA - 248 Pts.
9. Washington - 258 Pts.
10. Trinity - 262 Pts.