MAIS issues information on West Nile Virus

The MAIS has issued important information on the West Nile Virus and steps to take to guard from mosquitoes during the 2012 football season.

Parents and coaches should take proper precautions as suggested in the attached memo from the Mississippi State Department of Health.

http://home.msais.org/mailouts/msg5095.pdf

A new King era begins Friday night

Southern Sports & Travel

Lots of coaches at the high school level hope to one day return to their alma mater to coach and many ultimately do but with new Adams Christian head football coach David King that moved only consisted of a few miles. King, a 1987 Adams Christian graduate, confirmed talk that was swirling around the MAIS last spring that he was leaving Trinity by taking over as the head football coach at ACCS but also as headmaster this past June.

King’s move immediately changed the landscape of MAIS football in the Natchez area. That move gave Adams Christian instant credibility and a sign to their supporters and the MAIS that they were serious with regards to investing in their athletic program. With King came a pedigree consisting of four state championships and a 140-41 record over 14 seasons at across town Trinity Episcopal, but perhaps the biggest thing that came with King was defensive coordinator Richey Spears who is one of the premier defensive coaches in the entire MAIS.

While Adams Christian had secured instant stability the same did not apply to Trinity as turmoil seemed to swirl during the summer. Trinity Headmaster Brandt Dick wasted little time in announcing that Ryan Porter had accepted the position as new head football coach last February but Porter suddenly resigned in June leaving the football program in limbo less than three months before the start of the 2012 season. Josh Loy was announced as Porter’s replacement less than two weeks later. Loy is very familiar with the Trinity football program and had worked under King.

At ACCS King is charged with instilling confidence and a work ethic that made him so successful at Trinity but also turning around a stale offense that struggled to put points on the scoreboard during a 2-9 season last year.  Adams had a solid showing at the Copiah Jamboree but not only on the playing field, the sideline consisted of 41 players, a welcomed sight for Rebel fans.

The David King era at Adams Christian begins on Friday night as the Rebels make the short trek to Cathedral High to open up the 2012 MAIS football season. When the two squads kickoff King will look across the field and see a familiar face and another King coaching disciple, Ron Rushing, who coached at Trinity. Rushing led Cathedral to a 12-2 record last season and was one game from playing for a MHSAA Class 1-A state championship.

King said the transition from Trinity to Adams had been difficult emotionally but otherwise smooth and in typical David King fashion he had nothing but complimentary things to say about everyone involved.

The one burning question I had for King was surrounding the week six game on the Adams Christian schedule. On September 21 the Rebels and their new head coach will make the five minute drive to Trinity Episcopal and as King stated, “The emotions will run high.” For the first time in his head coaching career King will coach on the field affectionately known by Trinity folks as “the pit” but after all the emotions and reflection during pregame warm-ups the whistle will blow to signal the opening kickoff and it’s war, David King style.  

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Adams Christian Head Coach David King

Mustangs building for another run

Southern Sports & Travel

River Oaks head football coach Robert Hannah is entering his 19^th season at the controls of a Mustang football program that has won two state championships and made three state title game appearances in the past seven seasons, but this season the path to making another run at a state title in Class AA will pose a much larger challenge.

What River Oaks accomplished during that span is remarkable after being elevated to Class AA in 2007. That season the Mustangs failed to reach the playoffs but have qualified each season since. Their 2010 state championship team was blessed with talent at the skill positions and that was never more evident than their playoff wins over Centreville, Brookhaven and Leake.

Even with big losses of skill position players River Oaks worked their way past a very good North Delta team and Marshall to earn their second straight Class AA championship game appearance last season. In that matchup with eventual champion Simpson, River Oaks proved most wrong with a gutty performance against undefeated and powerhouse Simpson Academy, losing 29-15.

The biggest slot to fill in 2012 will be the most critical, the quarterback position. Gone is Ryan MacGregor who provided a steady hand with the signal calling duties for head coach Robert Hannah. River Oaks has given that duty to Brendan MacGregor, the sophomore brother of Ryan. While the younger MacGregor most likely will suffer through lots of growing pains the tailback who will line up behind him should provide senior leadership and a solid running game.

Tailback Alex Biedenharn has high credentials as he enters his senior season. The 175 lb. speedster rushed for 1,502 yards and 20 touchdowns last season and should provide a spark as the Mustangs look to win another district championship.

River Oaks will get no tune up games to start the 2012 season. The Mustangs will host Class AAA Division-II state champion Washington this Friday night followed by a trip to Cenla and in week three they visit three time defending Division-I Class AAA and top ranked Jackson Academy. Jackson Academy went to Monroe last season in week three and needed a last second Hail Mary play to defeat River Oaks 29-22 and avoid what would have been the biggest upset in the MAIS.

If River Oaks enters week four healthy the Mustangs may be a dark horse to make another run in the north. For that to happen Brendan MacGregor will need quick maturation and the Mustangs must get tailback Jacob Little healthy to compliment Biedenharn in the backfield. Little, a 6’2” and 210 lb. back, could be the key ingredient to another successful season for Hannah’s squad.
If River Oaks enters week four against Union Christian with a 1-2 record and healthy they could shock the world.      

River Oaks Head Coach Robert Hannah

MRA ready for season opener with Prep

Southern Sports & Travel

For second year MRA head football coach Forrest Williams getting his system into place was a top priority last season and with the return of quarterback Matt Porter and a solid core around him Patriot fans are excited about what the 2012 season could bring. Under Williams the Patriots compiled a respectable 7-5 mark in 2011 that included yet another playoff appearance after finishing 4-2 in district play.

The 2011 version of MRA football produced 7 points more a game than the previous season and rewrote many Patriot team and individual records. Quarterback Matt Porter set a new MRA mark for single game passing touchdowns with 7 and the signal caller also broke the single game passing record with 503 yards last season.

While Porter is back for his senior season the Patriots will have the task of filling the vacancy left by wide-out Nick Everhart who as a senior was pivotal in the MRA passing attack. Everhart racked up 1,627 receiving yards last season as a senior, 295 of those yards were against Jackson Prep. Senior Will Trammell could fill that void as the wide-out is a deep ball threat to opposing defenses.

If MRA is to contend for their very first Division I championship they will have to do the obvious, take down Jackson Academy and Jackson Prep. Three of those five losses last season were to the two MAIS powers.

With the return of six starters on each side of the football and the addition of three exceptional transfers MRA may have one of their best chances in several seasons to be serious contenders to win that elusive Division I crown.

Two of those transfers will provide immediate spark to the Patriot squad and the other solid depth at the quarterback position.

Tailback Ramone Nash (Photo below) transferred in from Northwest Rankin where as a junior he rushed for 1,872 yards and 21 touchdowns. Nash is a physical, bruising tailback who never shies from contact and will team up with Zack Everhart in the backfield behind Porter.

Junior Jamarian Roberts made the move to MRA from Madison Central and will booster an already solid linebacker group.

Adding to the depth at quarterback will be University Christian transfer Caleb Shufelt. The junior passed for 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns last season as a sophomore and could get some quality playing time during the season.

MRA’s quest to win the school’s third state championship and first in Division I begins on the road next Friday night. The Patriots will face the team that ended their 2011 season, second ranked Jackson Prep, and according to head coach Forrest Williams getting his squad motivated will be the least of his worries.

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MRA Head Coach Forrest Williams

COPIAH JAMBOREE RESULTS

Canton 7 Trinity 7

MRA 14 River Oaks 6
MRA 0 Adams 0
Copiah 13 River Oaks 6
Adams 12 Canton 7

MRA 20 Central Hinds 0

Trinity 13 Amite 0

Copiah 7 MRA 0

Central Hinds 14 Amite 0

From the notebook.......................

Southern Sports & Travel is excited to announce a new advertiser, Gateway Tire & Service Center. The company has 54 stores in 7 states (17 in Mississippi) and has committed to a full year of advertising. Equally exciting is their partnership in sponsoring a “Player of the Week” for the entire 2012/13 school year. Coaches, parents and fans are encouraged to email Southern Sports & Travel at aafandaman@yahoo.com or call/text 985-750-3455 to submit a player. The Player of the Week will be posted each Tuesday.

In eleven days the 2012 MAIS football season gets underway as two Thursday night games kick off what should be an exciting season. Canton will visit defending Class-A champion Tri-County while Class-AAA champion Jackson Academy treks to Hattiesburg to take on Presbyterian, but before those opening kickoffs there are Jamborees taking place this Thursday and Friday for those fans interested in getting an early look at area teams. A schedule of several Jamborees is posted on the right side of the page.

Opening week will include two district games, Calvary at Central and North Sunflower at Marvell and four squads will have an open date to start the season. That open date should be a huge benefit for teams such as WCCA who have new head coaches and get that extra week of practice before making a run at a state championship.

The Southern Sports & Travel “Pick Em” football contest will begin soon. Click on the tab at the top of the site to find out about week one games, prizes and rules. For the most up to date football scores during the season follow Southern Sports & Travel on Twitter. Just look on the left side of the website.

Seems as though two topics are reoccurring themes each football season. The early start of the season and the extreme heat that accompanies it and the concern over the increasing number of eight-man football teams in the MAIS.

The early start not only increases the risk of heat related health issues for players but it also creates a major strain on many schools who are focused on working to insure that the start of the 2012/13 school year goes smoothly for students, teachers and parents.

The MHSAA will follow a state mandated August 5th opening practice date for the 2013 season with Jamborees scheduled for August 16th. Whether the MAIS will follow in the same direction is not clear.

The steady rise in the participation of 8-man football should be a concern for the MAIS. In 2007 there were forty Class-A eleven-man squads and only six 8-man teams. Fast forward to the 2012 season and the number of 8-man teams has more than doubled to sixteen while the number of eleven-man teams in Class-A has dwindled to twenty seven. The guideline for schools who wish to play 8-man football seems cloudy at best and if some reports of schools with more than 20 varsity players competing in 8-man districts are correct the MAIS needs to clearly set a benchmark to preserve Class-A eleven man football.

I'll be hitting the road Thursday to cover a portion of the Copiah Jamboree and on Friday night the Parklane Jamboree.

See ya somewhere...........

MAIS Coaches,

Please designate a school official or parent to text or call football, softball and/or soccer scores to Southern Sports & Travel at 985-750-3455 immediately following the games. Thousands of MAIS supporters visit Southern Sports & Travel for the latest and most up to date scores and we are the only online publication dedicated solely to MAIS athletic coverage.

The upcoming 2012/13 athletic season will be the biggest in the five years since the inception of Southern Sports & Travel.

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Thanks,

Darron Thomas

Southern Sports & Travel

SOUTHERN SPORTS & TRAVEL 2012 PRESEASON FOOTBALL RANKINGS

Pick Em Contest

The Southern Sports & Travel "Pick Em" Football contest is back! The eleven week contest will kick off beginning with week one action on August 17 and will run through the week eleven regular season finale. Ten games will be posted each Sunday night along with a tie-breaker. Contestants must email their picks by noon on Friday to be eligible for that week.

The contestant with the highest aggregate of wins at the end of week eleven will win a $100 gift card and can select from the following:

*Hibbett Sports
*Dick's Sporting Goods
*Academy Sporting Goods
*Outback Steakhouse
*Cracker Barrel
*Olive Garden
*Chili's
*Wal Mart
*Target
*Best Buy
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In the event of a tie after week eleven tie-breakers will be totaled from all eleven weeks to determine a winner.
Limit one entry per contestant
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WEEK ONE GAMES
>Central Private at Cenla
>Central Hinds at Riverfield
>Oak Hill at Newton
>Magnolia Heights at Marshall
>Lee (MS) at North Delta
>Lamar at Heritage
>Brookhaven at Silliman
>MRA at Jackson Prep
>Pillow at East Rankin
>Oak Forest at Copiah
**Week One Tie-Breaker: Total points scored in the Lamar/Heritage game
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Email picks by noon on Friday to aafandaman@yahoo.com

Bobcats tab new baseball coach

Southern Sports & Travel

Presbyterian Christian recently named Kyle Maxie as their new head baseball coach. Maxie is a graduate of North Forrest High School in Hattiesburg. Maxie signed with Florida State to play baseball out of high school (He also was drafted in the 22nd round of the MLB draft that year) and went on to transfer to Southern Mississippi and star for the Golden Eagles during their epic run to the college World Series. Kyle has been an assistant coach the last three years at the college level, the last at Southeastern Lousiana University in Hammond.

WHY SUPPORT SOUTHERN SPORTS & TRAVEL?

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"Southern Sports and Travel has been an invaluable source of information for fans of the MAIS, providing not only statistics, but great articles about the different teams. Coaches and fans alike are rewarded from its reading and I personally enjoy and appreciate the coverage of the MAIS. Thank you Southern Sports & Travel."
Leake Academy Athletic Director & Girls Head Basketball Coach Doyle Wolverton
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"Southern Sports & Travel has given a perfect venue to promote MAIS sports and acknowledge the accomplishments of our student athletes. All MAIS patrons and schools should do whatever is in their power to help this website flourish because the kids deserve it."

Marshall Head Basketball Coach Craig Dailey 

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“Darron is a great ambassador for the MAIS and its member schools. He is professional in his work and writes detailed, positive articles that reflect well on our association.”
Jackson Prep Head Basketball Coach David Horner
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"Southern Sports & Travel does a great job covering MAIS sports through his site Southern Sports and Travel. Our players know it is a big game and are excited when he comes to cover our games! Without Southern Sports and Travel our schools and students would get very little recognition."
Simpson Academy Head Football Coach Billy Wayne Hankins
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"Southern Sports and Travel has been an excellent source of up to date information for me. It's the first place I look after a ballgame to find scores all across the state. Thanks Darron for all your hard work!"
Parklane Academy Head Baseball Coach Michael Clements
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"Southern Sports & Travel provides information about our association that cannot be found anywhere else. From game recaps to district standings, it's all available here. Darron's work allows schools such as ours to gain exposure that local media outlets do not provide."
East Rankin Head Basketball Coach Michael McAnally
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"I can't tell you how much I appreciate Darron Thomas and his work with Southern Sports and Travel. The website is great for exposure for MAIS athletes and schools. Darron's knowledge of the MAIS makes it not only informative but extremely credible. Our kids are always excited for Southern Sports and Travel to visit Rees Gym."
Presbyterian Girls Head Baskeball Coach Missy Bilderback
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"Southern Sports & Travel is the best sports website for MAIS sports. It is a great unbiased, factual sports sight. It is a great tool for coaches to keep up with box scores and district standings. I frequent the site often during the season."
Hillcrest Christian Boys Head Basketball Coach Wes Prather
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"This site is a blessing to every Coach and to the MAIS. It gives accurate information about the sports experiences of our student/athletes in every classification. Southern Sports & Travel’s commitment to our kids and to our academies is unbelievable and their knowledge of our sports is excellent. As a basketball coach, I find their articles to be better than most scouting reports I can obtain from other coaches. I pray everyone will support this site by purchasing a sponsorship."
Simpson Academy Girls Head Basketball Coach David Granville
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"Southern Sports and Travel has become the "must view" website for our entire school, along with the entire association. Players, parents, staff, and alumni turn to SST on a daily basis to get all the latest news and events."
Columbia Head Basketball Coach Reid McCay
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"We advertise on Southern Sports & Travel because we are building a basketball program, and it is absolutely the best way to stay on top of MAIS scores and trends. Supporting a resource as valuable as this makes perfect sense. The MAIS must agree since they have made it the official location for playoff scores after each game. Our schools are so far apart, we need this service to bridge the gap."
Riverfield Academy Girls Head Basketball Coach Dave Farrell
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"Southern Sports & Travel is the absolute best site on the internet to get up-to-date articles and information on MAIS sports. Our athletes really appreciate the coverage that Darron provides."
West Memphis Christian Boys Head Basketball Coach Jeff Dalton
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"Thanks to Southern Sports and Travel and Darron Thomas, we can have almost immediate scores and news about what is happening in the MAIS throughout the school year. He does a great job of promoting all our youngsters and providing information. The site is very user friendly. What a great job Darron does. I check for basketball scores every night during the basketball season. We appreciate all the information and interviews."
Starkville Academy Girls Head Basketball Coach Glenn Schmidt
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"Southern Sports & Travel is my #1 source of sports information in MAIS. I can't tell you how many times we have come in after a ball game, whether it be football, basketball, soccer or baseball, and wanted to know what other schools did. The first thing all of our staff does is head to the computer to pull up Southern Sports & Travel."
River Oaks Assistant Football Coach Dalton LeBleu
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"I visit Southern Sports & Travel because it is so efficient and easy to keep up with all of MAIS sports. The Clarion Ledger never covers the Louisiana schools so I rely strictly on Southern Sports & Travel. It has been a great help to myself and my entire coaching staff."
Silliman Girls Track Coach Sharon Kline
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"Darron Thomas and Southern Sports and Travel have meant so much to the Centreville Academy Tiger Baseball team and fans in our quest for back to back state championships. The coverage has enabled our fans to keep abreast of our games. The coverage of our players signing college scholarships was awesome. Darron, please keep up the great work. "
Centreville Academy Baseball Coach Jason Horne

"Southern Sports & Travel does a tremendous job of getting around to various schools and ensuring that many of our athletes in the MAIS are covered. I hear from kids, parents, and fans all the time about stories or items that appear on Southern Sports & Travel. It is THE source for MAIS news and standings."
Heritage Academy Head Basketball Coach Gary Harris

"I really appreciate all the hard work that Darron does accumulating all the scores, stories, and stats weekly. Southern Sports & Travel is my number one site for keeping up with the MAIS sports."
Leake Academy Head Football Coach Brian Pickens

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"Southern Sports site is the only way for me to stay connected to news concerning the MAIS (MPSA in my days)schools of which I was a part for 38+ years. Thank you very much for the excellent coverage."
Billy Swindle, former Administrator of Woodland Hills Baptist Academy and Parklane Academy
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For school sponsorship rates and advertiser rates click link
http://aafansportsandtravel.blogspot.com/p/sponsorship-and-ad-rates-on-southern.html

Randall signs on to play football at Belhaven

Ty Randall of Columbia Academy has signed to play football at Belhaven University in Jackson.