The games that matter are up next for the 4-2 LHS Wildcats as they open Region 4-4A play on Friday night. First up on the docket is Northeast Lauderdale (2-4) who will host the Wildcats this week. Shorter has watched the film and sees a dangerous offense to defend. He’s challenged his players to finish this final half of the schedule strong and position themselves up well for the playoffs.
“I like where we are right now,” Shorter said of his team. “We’re healthy going into this division stretch. We’ve been battle tested and know what kids can do what. Northeast Lauderdale runs the Wing-T and it’s difficult to defend, so we have to be disciplined on defense because they can hurt us.”
— Robbie Faulk
UNDEFEATED MATCHUPS
There were three battles of undefeated team last week.
Daeveon Sistrunk threw two touchdown passes and running back Ike Chandler rushed for 212 yards with a touchdown to lift Itawamba AHS past Houston 38-14.
East Webster was down 20-7 at halftime but scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to get past Union 27-20. Quarterback Steven Betts had 227 yards rushing with three touchdowns and also threw for 63 yards and a score.
Carter Putt passed for 210 yards with three touchdowns as Heritage Academy beat Pillow Academy 26-13 in a crucial MAIS Region 1-5A matchup.
— Brandon Shields
WA SET TO HOST SIMPSON
Next up for Winston Academy is another big test for the Patriots as they welcome in longtime MAIS contender Simpson Academy on Friday. The Cougars are 3-3, but the three losses have come to Jackson Prep, Hartfield and Lamar, who all are in the hunt for state championships this season.
While it’s not a district game, it’s another game for coach Pat Byrd’s team to test its will against high-level competition and get better. He’s hoping that everything falls into place for them to get a big win.
“They’re big up front. They’re not flashy or fancy so you know what they’re going to do with the down-hill run,” Byrd said of the Cougars. “They’re going to come off the football and hit you in the mouth so we need to be prepared to hit back. I’m excited to see how we rise to the challenge.”
— Robbie Faulk
MILLER POSTS LONGEST RUN
Dicenzo Miller, a sophomore running back at Choctaw County High School , had a 61-yard TD run, his longest run of the season, in a 35-26 win over Clarksdale and finished with 12 carries for 92 yards. For the season, he has 78 carries for 592 yards (7.8 yard average) and seven touchdowns.’
— Laurence Hilliard
LHS CLOSES OUT SOFTBALL SEASON
Louisville is finishing out its 2019 regular season this week and attempting to end things on a high note.
After beating McAdams last Tuesday, the Lady Wildcats hosted senior night on Monday night against Leake Central and honored senior Ji’maia Jackson. The team came up just short of sending Jackson out at home in a big way as they dropped a 3-2 ball game.
The Lady Wildcats (6-8) finished the regular season by playing that same Leake Central team on Tuesday on the road but the game was played after press time.
— Robbie Faulk
THURSDAY NIGHT ACTION
There are six high school football games in the state of Mississippi scheduled for Thursday night this week, highlights by the “Cross Creek Rivalry”, a battle between Winston County foes Nanih Waiya (4-2) and Noxapater.(4-1).
The game has more than just pride on the line, as the winner will definitely have the upper hands in the Region 2-1A playoff race. There are two other Thursday matchups that will Draw some attention as Bay Springs (6-0) visits Taylorsville (5-1), and 6-0 Provine is at 4-1 Callaway.
Other matchups have Forest Hill (2-4) at Jim Hill (1-4), Oxford (4-1) at Lewisburg (2-4), and Terry (2-4) at Northwest Rankin (1-4).
— Austin Bishop
WA VOLLEYBALL REORT
The Lady Patriots dropped two more volleyball matches over the last week. They started by playing their second match of the season against an experienced Heritage Academy team. The visiting Lady Patriots from Columbus beat WA in straight sets with a 25-19 first set win and finished it up with wins in set two 25-7 and set three 25-10.
WA (2-8) went across the county to play Nanih Waiya on the Lady Warriors senior night and dropped that match as well. WA will play again next Tuesday when they have senior night at home against West Lowndes.
— Robbie Faulk
2A RANKINGS TOUGH TO CRACK
Despite big win after big win, the Wolverines of East Webster (6-0) are still finding it hard to get into the top five of the Mississippi Gridiron’s Top 4 ranking for MHSAA Class 2A.
Philadelphia, Taylorsville, and Scott Central — all 5-1 on the season — hold the top three spots in the rankings. Bay Springs, 6-0, is No. 4, while 3-3 Charleston is No. 5.
Noxapater is ranked No. 1 in Class 1A, While Nanih Waiya is No. 4. Louisville is ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, following Greenwood, South Pike and Corinth.
In the Little 10, which comprises all MAIS schools and MHSAA schools Class 3A or smaller, Philadelphia is No 3, Taylorsville No. 7 and Bay Springs No. 9. Columbia is at the top of the list. Madison Central at 5-0 and Picayune (5-0) are the top two teams in the overall Top 10 rankings.
— Austin Bishop
