It’s almost impossible for a football game between Noxapater and Nanih Waiya to mean more to the two Winston County communities that it already does. But, if that’s possible, it will be taking place Friday night at 7 when Nanih Waiya plays host to Noxapater for the MHSAA Class 1A North State Championship.
The winner lands a spot in the 1A Championship Game at M.M. Roberts Stadium on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6.
“I can’t imagine what the atmosphere will be like,” said Noxapater head coach Casey Orr. “You will have people from three or four surrounding counties there. You could have a record crowd for a 1A high school football game.”
The impact on the game is not lost on Nanih Waiya head coach James Courtney. “It’s a huge deal,” he said. “It’s more so for the adults than the kids, but it matters to everybody. As far as we are concerned our goal is not to beat Noxapater, but to win the last game we play.”
The gates will be open at 5 p.m in order to accommodate an expected overflow crowd.
If you think there was any consideration to moving the game to a bigger venue, forget it.
“You play all year to win the district so you have that opportunity,” Courtney said. “We are excited to play at home. It’s going to be crowded, but it will be a great high school atmosphere. People will just have to get here early.”
There are not a lot of secrets between the two teams as both like to run the football and both play excellent run defense. But Courtney is quick to point out that both teams have improved since his team’s 16-2 win over Noxapater in early October.
“I think they (Noxapater) have found their identity and we have gotten a lot better. We feel like our offensive line has improved light years.”
Both coaches agree a game of this magnitude is likely to come down to one or two plays and could possibly involve a player that most fans wouldn’t expect.
“The last time we played it came down to four or five plays and it will probably be the saw way this times. Somebody is going to make something happen,” Orr said.
“Somebody is going to make a play,” Courtney agreed. “All of the focus is on all of the big name guys but it could be somebody else who steps up.”
Both coaches are urging their teams to enjoy themselves but not to get caught up in the moment.
“The moment is big enough by itself, we don’t need to add more to it,” Orr said. “We always preach to our kids to play the game, not the rivalry.”
“A game like this is why we work so hard,” Courtney said. “It’s why we play the game.”
The moment shouldn’t be overwhelming to the Warriors who are playing in either the South or North State Championship game for the fourth straight year, winning the last two.
The 12-2 Warriors, who won the 1A title last season, have won 10 consecutive games, while the Tigers, also 12-2, are on a seven-game winning streak.
