The Wolverines of East Webster will have another tall order this week as they travel to Northside on Friday for the third round of the MHSAA Class 2A State Football Playoffs.
Northside, a new school made when Shelby Broadstreet and Mound Bayou JFK consolidated, is 12-0 on the season. The Gators have been dominating this season as they have scored 536 points and given up just 20 with nine shutouts, including a 54-0 win over Eupora in the second round of the playoffs last week.
“All I know is they are 12-0 and that’s impressive,” EWHS head football coach Ron Price said. “They have scored 536 points and giving up just 20. I don’t care who you are playing, to hold 12 opponents to 20 points is impressive. We know we will have our hands full and have to go beat a really good football team.”
— Robbie Robertson
EUPORA HOOPS TIPS OFF
Eupora High School was set to open its boys and girls basketball seasons on Tuesday with a trip to Attala County to take on traditional Class 1A power McAdams.
The first home games for the Eagles and Lady Eagles are scheduled for Friday night when MHSAA Class 4A foe Kosciusko pays a visit. Eupora then takes Thanksgiving week off before hosting Choctaw County on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
— Austin Bishop
CHARGERS STILL STREAKING
Choctaw County, now 10-3 on the year, used a nail-bitting 35-28 win over defending MHSAA 3A State Champion Water Valley in the second round of this year’s state playoffs to run its winning streak to nine game.
Next up for the Chargers is a road trip to Leflore County to take on a 9-3 Amanda Elzy team that has playoff victories over Hatley and Independence. The Panthers trailed Independence 19-14 at the half, but blanked the Wildcats in the second half and won the game 20-19 on a fourth quarter TD.
Amanda Elzy is led by 5-7, 170-pound senior running back Dephabian Fant, the leading runner in 3A with 207 carries for 2,233 yards and 26 touchdowns. He had totaled 523 yards in the two playoff games and had a 375-yard game against Winona in a victory that enabled the Panthers to win Region 3-3A.
Friday’s winner will play either Noxubee County or Houston Nov. 29 in the North State final. Choctaw County defeated both of those teams in winning 4-3A.
— Laurence Hilliard
STARKVILLE TRANSFER AIDS FCA
A transfer from Starkville High School is helping the French Camp boys basketball team and could help the baseball team in the spring.
Sophomore Macon Bentley drew praise from basketball coach Robert Leathers. He scored five points in a win over Starkville Christian and six in a victory over Hebron as the Panthers opened the season 2-0.
“He has stepped up and played big for us. He doesn't score a lot of points, but he play good defense.”
Bentley played on the Starkville baseball team in the spring, and Leathers expects him to be a welcome addition to the French Camp team.
— Laurence Hilliard
KOSY COACH RESIGNS
Kosciusko head football coach Kelly Causey turned his resignation to school officials on Monday morning, ending his tenure with the Whippets.
Causey said that following a conversation with Superintendent of Education Billy Ellzy on Friday that he told school officials and his football team that he would be stepping down after three years at the helm of the Whippets.
Causey posted a 9-25 record in his his three years as head coach, making the MHSAA Class 4A State Football Playoffs each season.
— Austin Bishop
REGION 4-3A WELL REPRESENTED
Three of the eight teams left in the North half of of the MHSS Class 3A playoffs are from Region 4-3A. Choctaw County won the region, Noxubee County was second and Houston third.
Noxubee defeated Coahoma Early College 53-0 and Senatobia 21-0. Houston has wins over Winona 30-20 and North Panola 8-6. Choctaw County coach Jeff Roberts is not surprised. “I knew those teams would have a chance on that side of the bracket. They are good teams, well coached.”
Noxubee and Houston play Friday with the winner advancing to the North State final.
— Laurence Hilliard
