Bayou crushes Cougars

By Kristy Kitchings
The trip across the Mississippi River bridge ended in a win for the Bayou Academy Colts as they travelled to Marianna, Ark. to take on district opponent, Lee Academy. Bayou cruised into Cougar territory and handed the winless team another loss on their homecoming 39-11.
Bayou received the ball to start the game and kept the ball on the ground the first possession and use much of the clock for the first quarter. After several big drives, Caleb Pilgrim would find the end zone for the first six points of the night and the PAT from Weber Herbison was good, 7-0 Bayou. The Cougars used their possession to put points on the board, but the Colts defense held Lee to a field goal and the first quarter would come to an end, 7-3 Bayou.
Ty Holder would get his first touchdown on the night to kick off the second quarter and the PAT from Herbison was good and the Colts lead 15-3. After back and forth possessions in the second quarter, the Cougars would be forced to punt on one possession and senior Hunter Kovac would get the block and sophomore William Hood takes it to the end zone for six points and the two-point conversion is no good and the Bayou lead is now 21-3. The Cougar would have one last drive before halftime to put points on the board but Holder would intercept the pass to the Cougar receiver at the 9-yard line and end the first half with a 21-3 lead.
Lee received to start the second half but after three and out, were forced to punt. A solid ground game by the Colts moved the ball down field and Holder would find the end zone for the second time on the evening and the two-point conversion was not good but Bayou extends their lead 27-3 to end the third quarter.
The fourth quarter was big for the Bayou defense as Davis Dalton and Holder both recovered a fumble and returned possession back over the offense. Bayou would reward the defense and score on both possessions. Kovac would bob and weave around defenders for a 31-yard touchdown and Tyler Kitchings would take it in on the quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line to close out the win 39-11.
Senior Caleb PIlgrim led the offense with five carries for 47 yards, 2-3 passing for 64 yards, and one touchdown, followed by Ty Holder with eight carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns, Hunter Kovac with 10 carries for 106 yards, Davis Dalton with 11 carries for 112 yards, and Weber Herbison with one reception for 50 yards. Bayou kept the ball on the ground for 339 yard of rushing offense and end the night with 403 yards of total offense.
Defensively the Colts were lead by seniors Hunter Kovac with 7 solo tackles and 2 assist and a blocked punt and Ty Holder with nine solo tackles, one assist and a fumble recovery.
“Our young men played great Friday night. The coaching staff of coach Scott, coach Reed, coach Blount and coach Hitt did a great job of following through with our game plan and the kids executed on the field,” said head coach Terry King.
Up next for the Colts ( 5-3 overall and 3-2 district ) is a home game against opponent, Tunica Academy.

Colonels pound Kirk

By Watson Cook

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the IA Colonels moved a step closer to securing a playoff berth with a 42-21 win on the road at Kirk Academy Friday night. The Raiders simply had no answer for the Colonels rushing attack as IA piled up 470 yards on the ground.
Ashton Knight set the table for the Colonels' big night with a 55-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game to highlight a 3-play, 63-yard drive and give IA the early 6-0 lead. The 2-point attempt was unsuccessful. The Colonel defense, which forced four turnovers on the night, stopped the Raiders with a three and out on their first possession and the offense quickly took advantage. Taking over at their own 38 following the punt, the Colonels needed only five plays to strike again as Trey Roberson would find paydirt from 11 yards out. Knight added the 2-point run to put IA up 14-0 midway through the opening quarter. The Raiders threatened on their following drive, getting inside the Colonel 30 before Charles Downs picked off a pass near the goal line. The interception was Downs' first of the year and first of two on the night. The Colonels however, would return the favor by coughing up the ball on the third play of the next drive. The fumble proved costly as Kirk found the endzone on the third play of the second quarter to cut the IA lead to 14-7 following the PAT. The Colonels and Raiders went back and forth in the second quarter with each team scoring on every possession. The Raiders put 14 more points on the board in the quarter, as did the Colonels. Knight and Roberson added touchdown runs of 56 and 20 yards respectively. IA converted one of two 2-point attempts (Knight run) to go to halftime with a 28-21 lead.
The defense came up big in the second half for the Colonels. After forcing a punt on the Raiders' first drive of the half, the two teams exchanged fumbles. While Kirk could not take advantage of the IA fumble, the Colonels made sure they got something out of the Raider turnover. Taking over at their own 42, the Colonels went 58 yards on 4 plays, capped by Knight's third touchdown of the night, a 10-yard run with 5:36 to play in the third. Knight added the 2-point run to push the Colonel lead to 36-21. The Raiders' stuggles in the second half would continue as Hunter Vance and Downs each came up with an interception on the next two Kirk possessions. Following Downs' pick, IA took over at the Kirk 43. One play was all it took for Wheeler Timbs to sprint 43 yards to the endzone with 9:41 to play in the fourth quarter. The 2-point try was unsuccessful, leaving the Colonels with a 42-21 lead which would hold to be the final score. The Colonel offense was sloppy for the remainder of the quarter. Thankfully the defense, led by Wilson Reed's 17 total tackle performance, was able to keep the Raiders from putting additional points on the board.
The win improved the Colonels to 4-4 on the year, 1-1 in district play. A road trip to take on district-leading North Delta looms this Friday night. Kickoff from Batesville is set for 7:00.

Bobcats hang on for win over Parklane

Southern Sports & Travel

The fourth ranked Presbyterian Bobcats inched a bit closer to clinching a playoff spot with a 28-21 win over fifth ranked Parklane last night in Hattiesburg and after securing the win the overwhelming majority of Presbyterian players and coaches exuded a sense of relief after enduring a turnover laden second half that left the door open for a late Parklane rally.

Presbyterian looked primed to make senior night one to remember as the Bobcats struck early. Quarterback Daniel Patterson hit wide-out Chris Addison on a post route that resulted in a 47 yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage and Troy Waites nailed the PAT to give the Bobcats a 7-0 lead just 16 seconds into the contest.

“We talked about opening the game with that play yesterday at practice,” said senior Bobcat quarterback Daniel Patterson. “When we lined up I read the defense and saw the opportunity and Chris Addison ran a perfect route.”

Parklane answered with a promising drive that began on their own 20 yard line and progressed to the Bobcat 25 but fizzled when a fourth and 5 pass from Brady Lea to Joseph Clark came up short at the Presbyterian 27 yard line with 9:01 remaining on the opening quarter.

(Above) Presbyterian tailback Fate Eiland (#22) finds running room around the edge

Presbyterian struck again in the first quarter as the Bobcats produced a 6 play, 64 yard drive that was capped on a 33 yard fake reverse scamper from senior tailback Stephen Jones at the 1:12 mark of the quarter. Waites added the PAT to increase the margin to 14-0.

Presbyterian threatened again late in the second quarter but failed to convert on a 24 yard field goal attempt and the half would close out with the Bobcats holding a 14-0 advantage.

Parklane seemed to have garnered some much needed momentum early in the third quarter when a Zack McDaniel punt made contact with the helmet of a Presbyterian player and the Pioneers recovered at their own 40 yard line.

That momentum quickly vanished as a Parklane fumble on a second and 8 was recovered by defensive back Chris Addison at the Pioneer 48 yard line.

Presbyterian would capitalize on the Parklane miscue as tailbacks Fate Eiland and Lee Sigrest began finding holes in the Pioneer defense. Eiland, a sophomore, would go down with a knee injury on a 7 yard gain to the Parklane 27 yard line with just over eight minutes left in the quarter but fellow tailback Sigrest picked up the slack as the junior carried three consecutive times, the last a 3 yard burst into the end-zone with 7:13 left in the quarter.

(Above) Parklane tailback Taylor Burt (#34) gets corralled by a stingy Bobcat defense

Troy Waites added the PAT to push the lead to 21-0 and it looked like Presbyterian was well on their way to cruising to their seventh win of the season but the tide and flow of the contest was about to take a drastic change.

With 3:10 left in the third quarter Presbyterian would turn the football over when a mishandled snap was recovered by Parklane linebacker Dylan Barnes at the Bobcat 20 yard line.

Parklane wasted little time in cashing in on the Bobcat turnover as junior quarterback Brady Lea connected with tight-end Dan Gill for a 20 yard touchdown six seconds after the turnover occurred. Zack McDaniel added the PAT and the Pioneers had trimmed the deficit to 21-7.

Presbyterian appeared little fazed as the Bobcats promptly put up a 45 yard scoring drive that took just five plays and was culminated when Daniel Patterson scrambled and while avoiding a near sack got off a 5 yard touchdown pass to tailback Micah Griffin in the end-zone with 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Waites’ PAT increased the Bobcat lead back to three touchdowns at 28-7.

On Presbyterian’s first offensive possession of the fourth quarter Parklane recovered a Bobcat fumble at the Presbyterian 22 yard line and as the Pioneers did previously, they wasted little time in cashing in.

Parklane tailback Joseph Clark rumbled 22 yards around the left side and Zack McDaniel added the PAT to cut the deficit in half at 28-14 with 9:11 left in regulation.

(Above) Parklane quarterback Brady Lea (#7) spots an open receiver

Parklane was the recipient of another Bobcat fumble less than one minute later as defensive lineman James Michael Schmidt recovered a loose football at the Pioneer 47 yard line with 8:20 remaining.

Following a Brady Lea pass completion to the Bobcat 40 yard line the Parklane offense found itself retreating as a 15 yard personal foul spot infraction put the Pioneers in a second and 36 from their own 34 yard line but Lea hooked up with Dan Gill for a 42 yard pass and catch down to the Bobcat 24 yard line.

Lea then connected with Cody Harvey for a short gain to the 22 yard line and Brady Lea capped the drive with three consecutive keepers, the last from one yard out. McDaniel’s PAT pulled Parklane to within a touchdown at 28-21 with 4:35 remaining.

If Presbyterian thought it couldn’t have gotten any worse it did, rapidly.

On the Bobcat’s first play after the Parklane score Presbyterian laid the football down on the turf again. Parklane linebacker Seth Travis recovered this fumble at the Bobcat 32 yard line with 4:24 still remaining in regulation.

The Pioneers moved to the Presbyterian 5 yard line in six plays but a critical block in the back call pushed Parklane back to the Bobcat 19 yard line and that was followed by a huge sack on Lea by Presbyterian linebacker Micah Griffin for a loss of 11 yards back at the Bobcat 30 yard line with 1:15 remaining.

With Parklane facing a third and 30 Brady Lea’s pass was intercepted by defensive back Stephen Jones at the Presbyterian 3 yard line to lock down a 28-21 win for the Bobcats.

“This was such a huge win for us,” said Presbyterian senior quarterback Daniel Patterson (Photo left). “We want to go back to the playoffs for the third straight year and we knew coming in how important this game was. We got a little sloppy in the second half tonight but I think it will serve as a wake up call for us. As a senior the past three seasons have been incredible and it’s a great feeling to know that this senior class was a big part of helping to build a successful football program here at Presbyterian.”

Patterson finished the night going 4/6 passing for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore tailback Fate Eiland led the Presbyterian ground attack with 80 yards on 12 carries before going down with a second half knee injury. Junior tailback Lee Sigrest added 76 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown and Stephen Jones rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries.

Joseph Clark picked up 102 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown for Parklane while Brady Lea totaled 162 passing yards and a touchdown and 53 yards on the ground and a score.

Parklane tight end Dan Gill had 4 receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Presbyterian improves to 7-2 overall but more importantly 4-1 in division play while Parklane slips to 7-2 and 3-1.

Presbyterian will travel to Oak Forest and Starkville to close out and Parklane will host Copiah and Jackson Prep to finish out the regular season.

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Post Game with Presbyterian Head Coach Joey Hawkins

 

Gateway Tire & Service Center Player of the Week

East Rankin Academy quarterback Jacob Weldon is the Gateway Tire & Service Center Player of the Week. The 6' 1" 170 lb. senior led the Patriots to a 36-29 road win over Lamar this past week rushing for 259 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns and going 5/5 for 18 yards passing.

Weldon ranks first in rushing amongst MAIS quarterbacks and second in the entire MAIS  with 1,256 yards on the season. His 10.13 yards per carry ranks him among the best also. The senior signal-caller has 15 rushing touchdowns, a receiving touchdown and has 5 touchdowns passing to only one interception for 762 yards.

"Jacob Weldon is an outstanding young man who is full of character," said East Rankin head coach Matt Butts. "He is an amazing teammate who brings out the best in himself and makes his team better. Jacob is the best athlete on the field every Friday night  but is the most humble, hard working athlete I have ever coached," said Butts. "In 27 games as my starting quarterback he has amassed 8,147 yards and scored 69 touchdowns."

Weldon will lead his 5-3 Patriots this Friday night as East Rankin hosts top ranked and undefeated Jackson Prep. 

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MAIS GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Madison-Ridgeland Academy - Division I Champions

Lamar School - Division II Champions
 

 

Pats smother Chiefs to win seventh straight

Southern Sports & Travel

The similarities were the same heading into Friday night’s Class AAA matchup between two top five squads who both were sporting six game win streaks but third ranked MRA distinguished themselves superior in handing fifth ranked Magnolia Heights a 28-7 thumping before a large home crowd in Madison.

Madison-Ridgeland produced a balanced attack offensively in putting up 264 yards through the air and 116 rushing yards and the Patriot defense held the leading rusher in the MAIS, Fernando Van Hook, to 101 yards.

MRA established the tempo rapidly as the Patriots surgically went 80 yards in 7 plays on the opening possession of the night and took a lead on Caleb Shufelt’s 28 yard touchdown pass to senior wide-out Will Trammell less than two minutes into the contest. Haiden McCraney’s PAT gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead.

After the MRA defense forced Magnolia Heights into a three and out the Patriot offense went to work again, this time led by senior quarterback Matt Porter.

Porter connected with Hunter Gillon for a quick 10 yards to the Magnolia Heights 48 yard line and two plays later hooked up with Will Trammell for 16 yards to the Chief’s 11 yard line. Porter capped the 57 yard drive on a 13 yard pass to Trammell with 2:29 remaining in the opening quarter. McCraney’s PAT gave the Patriots an early 14-0 advantage.

Magnolia Heights saw the deficit grow in the second quarter. On a second and 22 from their own 13 yard line MRA linebacker Andrew Werhan intercepted a Luke Young pass at the Chief’s 9 yard line and rumbled to the 2 before being taken down.

MRA capitalized on the turnover on the next play as Zack Everhart plowed in from 2 yards out and McCraney added the PAT to give Madison-Ridgeland a 21-0 cushion with 3:53 left in the half.

Magnolia Heights finished the half with a shot of momentum as the fifth ranked Chiefs cranked out a 5 play, 80 yard drive that was culminated on a Fernando Van Hook 45 yard scamper at the 2:53 mark of the quarter. Bo Bost added the PAT and the Chiefs would enter intermission trailing 21-7.

Neither squad mounted a scoring threat in a third quarter that saw a turnover from each squad, a missed field goal and three punts but MRA did close the quarter with some push that would carry over into the fourth quarter.

The Patriots increased their lead to 28-7 four plays into the final quarter as Caleb Shufelt hit Will Trammell with a 10 yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone to finish off a 9 play, 36 yard drive that began in the closing minutes of the third quarter. McCraney added the PAT and with 10:44 remaining in regulation MRA had the game in hand as Magnolia Heights never threatened the rest of the way.

In winning their seventh straight game MRA improves to 7-1 while Magnolia Heights’ six game win streak is halted and the Chiefs slip to 6-2.

MRA junior tailback Zack Everhart rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown to lead the Patriot ground game. Junior quarterback Caleb Shufelt finished the night going 13/23 for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns while Matt Porter produced 102 yards on 8/10 passing and a touchdown. Senior wide-out Will Trammell had 6 receptions for 82 yards and 3 touchdowns and on special teams senior Haiden McCraney punted 5 times for a 41.6 yard average and went 4/4 in PATs.

Magnolia Heights senior tailback Fernando Van Hook rushed for 101 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown.

MRA will host Class AA and second ranked Simpson next Friday night while Magnolia Heights will be idle.

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Brookhaven stops Bowling Green

Submitted to Southern Sports & Travel

Looking to tune up prior to their first District 5 Class AA contest next week and get back in the win column, the Brookhaven Academy Cougars traveled to Franklinton, LA to do battle with the Bowling Green Buccaneers.  Prior to the game, BA Coach Tripp McCarty said the strategy going in was real was simple, “We have to stop their run game to be successful. “  McCarty continued, “If we do that and force them to make mistakes, we can be successful.”  Rising to the challenge the Cougars did control the Buccaneer run game and cruised to a 32 – 20 victory.

Taking the opening kickoff at their own 33 yard line the Cougars went to work quickly.  Quarterback Gage Posey hit on pass attempts of 20 yards to Seth Rushing and 27 yards to Ross Foreman to push deep into Buccaneer territory.  Posey would then find Rushing from seven yards out for the first score of the game.  Kevin Nettles added the PAT to give the Cougars a 7 – 0 lead at the 9:47 mark of the first quarter.

Bowling Green’s first possession would be short lived.  A Preston Rawls interception in pass coverage from his linebacker position set the Cougars up at the Buccaneer 18 yard line.  Posey wasted no time capitalizing on the Buccaneer miscue finding Will Hickman with a laser between 3 defenders for a 12 yard touchdown pass and catch.  Nettles added the PAT pushing the score to 14 – 0 with 8:17 still to play in the first period.

Pressed to answer the BA scores, Bowling Green got their offense going starting their next possession at their own 35 yard line.  With a mix of pass and run the Bucs were able to penetrate deep into Cougar territory and find the end zone on a 5 yard Jake Williams run.  Grant Ball added the PAT and pulled the Buccaneers closer at 14 – 7 still in the first quarter.

After stalling out BA would be forced to punt and Bowling Green would take possession at their own 37 yard line.  Disaster would strike again for the Buccaneers as BA forced the football loose on a tailback sweep and Jacob Conley recovered for the Cougars at the BG 29 yard line.  Unable to secure a first down the Cougars turned the ball over after a mishandled snap on a 32 yard field goal attempt.  Feeling some momentum swinging their way, Bowling Green came out aggressive with a 20 yard pass from QB Connor McCain to Grant Ball followed by another 13 yard McCain to Ball connection, however, BA cornerback Matthew Evans alertly stripped the pigskin from Ball and raced 36 yards downfield before being forced out of bounds at the Bowling Green 4 yard line.  Junior tailback Landon Nettles would do the work from there with a 4 yard TD run.  The PAT was blocked leaving the Cougars on top at 20 -7 with 2:24 remaining in the quarter and the same score the teams would take to the locker room at halftime.

After swapping possessions to start the second half of play the Cougars would take advantage of another Buccaneer turnover when Tanner Parvin recovered a BG fumble at their own 36 yard line.  Posey wasted no time advancing with a 23 yard pass to Caleb Brown setting up another Posey touchdown strike to Matthew Evans from 12 yards out.  The 2 point conversion pass attempt failed and the Cougars settled for a 26 – 7 lead with 4:06 showing in the third.

The Bucs refusing to quit and behind the passing of McCain were able to find the end zone on a 19 yard pass to Patrick Roublow.  The conversion was stuffed at the line of scrimmage and with 5:41 to play in the contest BA led 26 – 13.  BG was able to hold the Cougars and get the ball back hoping to pull closer and really make things interesting and they did just that.  McCain again guided the Bucs down the field and found tight end Trent Ball on a 6 yard pass play for the touchdown.  Grant Ball would add the PAT and pull the Buccaneers within six points with 2:20 to play.

The ensuing on-sides kick was easily handled by the BA front line at the Bowling Green 49 yard line.  Staying aggressive, Posey would break free on a quarterback keeper off right side for a 43 yard run down to the Buccaneer 6 yard line and call his own number again on a subsequent 4 yard touchdown run icing the contest and securing the 32 – 20 victory for the Cougars.

Coach McCarty commented after the game, “I’m real proud of our team and their effort this past week and tonight.”  “We wanted to control the game with our defense and we did that forcing four turnovers that we were able to take advantage of.”  McCarty continued, “We have to now get ready for a big homecoming week and our first district contest with Columbia next Friday night.”  “Rest assured our boys will be ready for this one.”

Offensively Gage Posey led the Cougars with 212 yards passing and three touchdowns through the air.   Posey added to his total with 57 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground giving him his 20^th touchdown of the season.  Seth Rushing headed the receiving corps for BA with 5 catches and a touchdown.  Both Will Hickman and Matthew Evans had 2 catches and a score each for the Cougars.  A total of eight different BA receivers had pass receptions on the night.

For the Buccaneers Patrick Roublow netted 84 yards on the ground, 77 of those coming in the first half of play.  Connor McCain completed 21 pass attempts on the night with TD passes to Roublow and Trent Ball.Defensively the Cougars were led by Colby Culbertson with 10 tackles, Garrett Pace with 6 ½ stops and Preston Rawls added 6 tackles and an interception.  Matthew Evans, Tanner Parvin and Jacob Conley each had fumble recoveries for the Cougars.

Brookhaven Academy celebrates Homecoming 2012 next Friday night and the Cougars start their District 5 Class AA play versus Columbia Academy.  Homecoming presentation starts at 6 pm with kickoff to follow at 7 pm on R. M. “Red” Stuard Field.

Colts come from behind for homecoming win
By Kristy Kitchings

It’s been a busy week for the Bayou Academy Colts with homecoming events and the Lady Colts playing for the state championship game in Flowood, but the Colts had a good solid week of practice despite the festivities and it showed on the field Friday night as Bayou pulled out a come from behind win late in the fourth quarter, 28-21. On hand for the big conference game was the 1992 State Championship class reunion along with the Class of 2002.

Bayou would strike first with a combination of passing and ground plays as quarterback, Caleb Pilgrim would take the ball into the end zone on a quarterback keeper for the first six points of the night. The extra point was no good and Bayou leads, 6-0. But it would be all Bayou in the first quarter as Caleb Pilgrim connects with Weber Herbison for a 70-yard touchdown pass down the hash mark and Pilgrim would take the ball himself for the two-point conversion. Bayou extends their lead to 14-0 to close out the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Saints would score after a desperation pass down field on fourth down to put the only points on the board for the second quarter. Bayou would head to the locker room up 14-7. Laurel Hayden Bowen was crowed the 2012-2013 Homecoming Queen during halftime.
The Colts returned to the field for the second half with ball possession and hopes of keeping the lead and delivering a win on homecoming. But the Saints marched on to Colt field to give the Colts a run for their money in the second half and tied the ballgame 14-14 to end the third quarter.

To kick off the fourth quarter, Bayou would be forced to punt and put the ball back in the Saints hands, but the Colt defense stood strong and got the ball back or the offensive unit. Bayou rewarded the defense for the goal line stand with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Kitchings to Ty Holder to regain the lead, 20-14 with seven minutes on the clock. Bayou would not hold the lead very long when the Saints marched down the field and crossed the end zone to go ahead by one point, 21-20 with just 3:47 on the clock. With just under four minutes, Bayou would have to work together as one offensive unit to get the ball back down field and into the end zone for the win. Hunter Kovac would receive the ball and put the Colts at about mid-field. After three down and outs, the Colts must go for it on fourth down. Kitchings connects with Pilgrim on fourth down and are still alive on the drive. Another three and out by the Colts force another fourth down attempt, but Bayou draws the Saints offsides and issued a first down in the red zone. Kitchings hands the ball off to Pilgrim up the middle for the touchdown and the win, 28-21.

On offense Caleb Pilgrim led the offense in passing with 5-14 attempts for 155 yards and one touchdown and one interception, followed by Tyler Kitchings going 4-12 for 101 yards and one touchdown. Hunter Kovac led the rushing offense with 57 yards, followed by Pilgrim with 41yards and Ty Holder with 23 yards. Weber Herbison led the receiving core with 70 yards, followed by Ty Holder with 55 yards, Cole Hutchinson with 48 yards, Pilgrim with 27 yards, Davis Dalton with 17 yards, and Hunter Kovac with 15 yards.
Defense was led by Ty Holder with seven tackles and four assist, followed by Hunter Kovac with eight tackles and two asset, and Tyler Kitchings with seven tackles and two assist.
“The kids made a pack before the game to be accountable for each other on the field and they executed that pack well. They played as a team and played hard all night. It was mind over matter and they willed themselves to a win this week,” said head coach Terry King. “We knew we could throw the ball on them and we did that. We could have had more receiving yards, but we still have to work on catching the ball. If we play like we played last night every game, we can play with anybody. We gave up some big plays here and there, but our defense really stepped up and played a great game when it counted. We had an off week last week and we did not waste a minute of that time. We made some adjustments and it paid off for us last night.”

Columbia finishes fourth in National Cross Country Meet

Courtesy The Columbian Progress

Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the Columbia Academy Boys Cross Country team in North Carolina Saturday, September 29th. The Cougars traveled to Cary, North Carolina for the American Independent Schools Challenge (AISC). They were met with pouring rain and a very muddy course. The Cougars showed that they couldn’t be intimidated by neither the elements nor 26 of some of the top independent teams in the Nation. They confidently took on the challenging 5K course and some of the Nations best runners as they battled to a very respectable 4th place finish.

Jon Luke Watts led the Cougars finishing 2nd, taking the silver medal, with a personal record and “National Elite” time of 16:14. Michael Reid finished 18th in a personal record time of 17:40 to receive a bronze medal for finishing in the top-25. Trevor Dixon, Luke Coleman, and Sam Carr also set personal records.

“I am very proud of all these guys,” said Coach Duane Powell. “These kids have brought National attention to Columbia Academy, MAIS, and the state of Mississippi. It’s a big deal for a small school like CA to compete at this level,” said Powell, “I feel like we won the thing. Winning the State Championship is great, but this is the Nationals.” CA has won five consecutive MAIS AA State Championships. This was their first attempt at a National meet.

“I told the team I didn’t care where they finished, I just wanted them to dig deep and give it their best” said Powell, “I think they dug a little deeper for Caleb”. The CA Cross Country team has dedicated their season to the memory of Caleb Coleman, a CA All-State runner that was killed in an automobile accident last November.

“It’s unbelievable for these kids to run their season bests and set PR’s on a hilly, muddy course especially after a 15 hour drive. Jon Luke’s second place finish behind the seventh ranked runner in the Nation is awesome, said Powell. Colin Godwin of Cary Academy won the meet and is currently the number seven ranked high school runner in the United States. Powell said, “Michael Reid really stepped up big destroying his PR and going under 18 for the first time. I thank God they were all healthy, that’s always a concern at any meet.”

The Nationally recognized Cougar team consists of Seniors: Tyler Berry, Luke Coleman, Trevor Dixon, Jon Luke Watts; Sophomores: Sam Carr, Joel Hitt, Michael Reid, and 8th Grader Kenny Price.

The AISC is recognized as one of the largest and most prestigious Cross Country meet for independent schools in America. It is sanctioned by the National Scholastic Athletics Association and is part of the annual “Great American Cross Country Festival”, which draws over 500 teams and thousands of runners from across the United States.

The Cougars will be back in action on Tuesday, October 9th, when they host the Caleb Coleman Invitational at the Columbia Water Park. Over 20 schools from Mississippi and Louisiana have entered. Everyone is invited. The meet starts promptly at 4PM and admission is free.

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Columbia Boys AISC results:

2. Jon Luke Watts ---------- 16:14.2

18. Michael Reid ------------ 17:40.1

37. Trevor Dixon ------------ 18:42.2

41. Luke Coleman ---------- 18:47.8

58. Tyler Berry --------------- 19:15.4

68. Sam Carr ----------------- 19:43.0

80. Kenny Price --------------20:04.4

MAIS GIRLS SOFTBALL

Leake Academy

2012 Class AA State Champions

28-2

Copiah Academy
2012 Class AAA State Champions
35-7

Gateway Tire & Service Center Player of the Week

Silliman quarterback Cobb Kelly is the Gateway Tire & Service Center Player of the Week. The 6'1" 185 lb. senior led the 8th ranked Wildcats to a 21-14 come from behind district win over Bowling Green last Friday night.

Kelly rushed for 148 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown and went 10/19 for 163 yards and two touchdowns passing in the playoff spot clinching win on the road.

"Cobb is a humble young man that wants to do whatever he can to help his team win," said Silliman head coach TJ Davis. "When the lights come on Friday nights you see this young man play with all his heart. He has a true love for his teammates and plays with an intense passion for the game of football."

Kelly ranks fourth in Class AA with 774 yards rushing and first in touchdowns with 17 on the season.

Silliman will be hosting Class AAA Copiah this Friday night before closing out the regular season at Adams Christian and at home against Centreville.

North Delta shocks Marshall

By Brad Greer

Add another chapter into the list of classic gridiron battles between North Delta and Marshall Academy.

In a game chalked full of big plays, high intensity and a few eyebrow raising calls by officials, North Delta out slugged the No. 4 ranked Patriots 35-27 Friday night in Holly Springs to extend their 13-game District 1-AA winning streak.

Austin Hagstrom and Tyler Pirtle ran for two touchdowns each while fellow senior Taylor Morris added another as North Delta, (5-2 & 2-0) captured their third straight victory over the Patriots who also fell to 2-1 in league play and 5-2 overall.

"First of all I want to give credit to Marshall, they have got a fine ball team. We knew coming in this was going to be a war and that what it turned out to be," said North Delta head coach Brandon Ciaramitaro. "I saw something in my guys tonight that I have been waiting to see all season and that was to play a full game with less penalties and to dig deep inside themselves and show some leadership while finishing the game the way did," said Ciaramitaro.

North Delta came out firing on all cylinders in the first quarter to jump out to a 20-7 lead as one the second play from scrimmage, Hagstrom took the direct snap from center and raced 86 yards for the score to give the visitors a quick 6-0 lead after William Dean's PAT failed.

Marshall answered right back on their opening possession as Devin McGreger scored on a five-yard run to cap off a eight-play; 45-yard drive to make the score 7-6 with McGreger adding the point after attempt.

The Green Wave retained the lead on the following series as Hagstrom added his second scoring run from three yards out at the 3:40 mark to the first quarter. Chase Coker hauled in the two-point conversion from Pirtle to give the visitors a 14-7 lead.

North Delta extended the lead to 20-7 as Morris crashed in from three yards out on the last play of the quarter. Hagstrom's 26-yard punt return to the Patriot 26 yard line got the drive started.

The roles were reversed in the second quarter as Marshall defense held North Delta to five yards of total offense. Patriot fullback Zack Pritchett bulldozed his way in from one yard out at with 5:48 remaining before halftime to close the margin to 20-14 at intermission. The drive covered 63 yards on 13 plays and chewed up over six minutes off the clock.

Marshall got their fans on its feet to open the second half of play as the Patriots took the opening kickoff and march 78 yards on four plays to take a 21-20 lead as Pritchett scored on ten-yard run followed by McGreger booted the PAT. The drive was highlighted by an amazing 70-yard scramble by fleet-footed quarterback Dakota Dailey in which the sophomore somehow escaped five would-be North Delta defenders before being hauled down at the Green Wave 10-yard line.

Dailey finished the game with 246 all-purpose yards which included 141 yards rushing and 105 yards through the air on 12-of-18 passing and one interception.

"I cant say enough about how Dakota played tonight, he is a great competitor and left everything he had on the field.This was a great game just like it aways is when we play North Delta," said Marshall head coach Bart Jenkins. "They have a great program and we knew what kind of contest it would be. Both teams played extremely hard and for three years in a row it has came down to one big break and they seem to get it and we don't but that is how it goes and we will bounce back," said Jenkins.

The score remained that way until ten minutes left in the game as the Green Wave retook the lead at 28-21 on Pirtle's eight-yard scramble with Hagstrom running in the two-point conversion. Pirtle's 46-yard pass completion to Hagstrom kept the drive alive.

Marshall was not through yet as Pritchett added his final touchdown run of seven yards to close the margin to 28-27 with 5:55 left to play. With fans from both sides on their feet,the Patriots decided to go for the two point conversion instead of the point after that would have tied the game.

The move backfired was Dailey's pass was batted down by Green Wave safety Brett Harrington to retain the North Delta lead at one point.

"We got some guys banged up and I just didn't feel like going into overtime would play to our advantage, but hindsight is 20/20 and that was a high percentage play for us that we just did not make," said Jenkins.

North Delta iced the game on the ensuing kickoff as Herrington scooped up a fumble on the Patriot 44 yard line. Pirtle added the final points with a 27-yard touchdown run with 1:01 left in the game.

After receiving the kickoff, Marshall's last gasp came to an end as Dean picked off a Dailey pass at the North Delta 38.

The Green Wave finished the night with 348 yards of total offense compared to Marshall's 302. Hagstrom led North Delta in rushing with 116 yards on 13 carries while catching four passes for 58 yards. Pirtle followed with 91 yards on 20 carries, Morris chipped in with 58 yards on nine totes and one reception for three yards.

Sam Copeland, Coker and Dean all registered one pass reception for the Green Wave.

Will Magee, Morris and Hunter Pitcher led the North Delta defense with four tackles each. Bradley Booth and Parker Jones added three stops.

Aaron McAlexander reeled in eight catches for 95 yards to lead Marshall in receiving.

North Delta will stay on the road Friday night as they take on Lee (Ark.) while Marshall host MSHAA member H.W.Byers.