Scheduling non-region games is not easy for MHSAA Class 1A schools, especially if you happen to be good. In the case of Nanih Waiya and Noxapater, they are very, very good.
The Warriors of NW, will play host to MHSAA Class 4A school West Lauderdale, while Noxapater travels to Butler, Ala. to take on Choctaw County High School, a class 2A school in the AHSAA.
Noxapater and Nanih Waiya compete in Region 2-1A along with French Camp Academy, Hamilton, Okolona, Smithville, Tupelo Christian, Vardaman, and West Lowndes.
Other games involving Region 2-1A schools this week are as follows: French Camp hosting Winona Christian School, Hamilton visiting Hatley, West Lowndes hosting Newton, Vardaman entertaining Myrtle, Okolona traveling to Aberdeen; Smithville paying a visit to Belmont, and Tupelo Christian Prep hosting Tishomingo County (Thursday).
— Austin Bishop
A QUICK LOOK AROUND REGION 4-4A
Kosciusko High School is the only one of the six schools in Region 4-4A that will be opening its season on a Thursday when the Whippets play host to Yazoo City.
In games set for Friday defending MHSAA Class 4A State Champion Louisville pays a visit to Noxubee County, Leake Central plays host to Newton County, Choctaw Central hosts Union, Northeast Lauderdale hosts Meridian, and West Lauderdale pays a visit to Class 1A power Nanih Waiya.
— Austin Bishop
PREP FOOTBALL TO USE 40-SECOND PLAY CLOCK
One of the biggest rules changes in Mississippi high school football this season is with the play clock.
Instead of a 25-second play clock initiated by the head referee, a 40-second play clock will be used and started when the previous play is blown dead.
The National Federation of State High School Associations states on their rationale on the 40-second play clock is “to have a more consistent time period between downs. The new rule defines when 40 seconds will be placed on the clock and when 25 seconds will be placed on the clock.”
The NFHS also changed the rule on jerseys in an effort to make numbers more visible. Starting in 2023, numbers must be a certain size and by 2024, jersey numbers must be a single, solid color that clearly contrasts with the body color of the jersey.
— Robbie Robertson
MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FACTS
A pair of the state’s traditional football powers will be reaching a historic milestone this week.
Vicksburg High School will play its 1,000th game in its season opener against Madison Central on Friday, while Hattiesburg High School will will be doing the same when the Tigers take on Petal in their opener.
According to ahsfhs.org website that chronicles the history of our state’s high school football, Clarksdale is presently the only member of the 1,000th club with 1,052 played games. Meridian and Laurel will also join the club as they enter the season with each having played 991 games.
Meridian High School has the most football wins in state history with 693. Clarksdale is second with 653, followed by Laurel with 602. If you are passionate about high school football, ahsfhs.org is your site, as it contains a wealth of information and even has information on long past teams. Keep in mind that the site is a work in progress and is not complete.
— Dale McKee
KEMPER ACADEMY PLANS A RE’PETE’ SEASON IN 2019
For at least the third time in his high-decorated football coaching career, Pete McCleskey will be the new head football coach for Kemper Academy.
McCleskey has coached the Rams for 37 times in what is third stint as KA’s head man. The Rams play 8-man football in the MAIS and are coming off a 3-7 season.
— Austin Bishop
ALL-SPORTS AWARDS HANDED OUT FOR 2018-19
For the past 30 years the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper has handed out All-Sports Awards for each classification in the Mississippi High School Activities Association.
For the 2018-19 schools year, each school’s rankings in 11 boys sports, 11 girls sports, and one combined sport (archery) went toward the totals. A top 10 was posted in each classification.
Pontotoc won the Class 4A title without winning a state championship, while Corinth was second, Vancleave third and West Lauderdale Fourth. TupeloChristian ran away with the 1S title, while Sacred Heart was second. Madison Central won 6A, Germantown, 5A, St. Andrew’s 3A and Madison St. Joseph 2A.
Louisville competes in 4A, while Nanih Waiya and Noxapater are 1A schools.
— Austin Bishop
