By By Marty Stamper and Josh Taylor/The Meridian Star
Sept, 13, 2001
Looking for a good high school football game this week? Your options are plenty for North area schools.
The Newton County Cougars put their 2-0 start to the test when they host the Morton Panthers, 1-1, in Friday's lineup of games.
Breland was proud of his team's effort in last week's 21-7 win over Newton.
Darryl Mapp led the way with 180 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.
Cougar fullback Kendrick Windham is expected to be out for two weeks with a dislocated shoulder.
Ackerman at Newton
Newton will be looking to bounce back from last week's 21-7 loss to Newton County when the Tigers host the top-ranked team in Class 2A at E.L. Morgan Field.
Through two games, the bulk of the Tigers' offense has been carried by quarterback Laderrian Blaylock and wide receiver Bobby Lindsey.
Ackerman was the state runner-up in 2A in 2000 and is off to a 2-0 start this fall. The Indians have yet to allow a point in 2001.
Neshoba Central at Philadelphia
The Rockets and Tornadoes tangle for the 42nd time Friday with Philadelphia holding a 21-20 series lead thanks to four straight wins, including a 24-13 decision a year ago.
Both teams have put the bulk of their offensive stock in the running game so far. Philadelphia's Kenshay Hunter has 176 yards on 19 carries. Neshoba's Luke Smith has 142 yards on 29 carries with Gavin Grady adding 69 yards on 21 rushes.
Passing success has been minimal for each team. Neshoba's Josh Palmer is 2-of-5 for 10 yards, while Philadelphia's Tyler Threadgill and Jerwarrick Hartzog are a combined 7-of-23 for 99 yards.
The game also features new head coaches at each school – Jim Ray at Neshoba and Marcus Wood at Philadelphia.
Cherokee (N.C.) at Choctaw Central
Looking for a Saturday night game? The Warriors host the North Carolina team in the sixth Battle of the Nations which features the only two Native American football-playing schools east of the Mississippi River.
Cherokee holds a 4-1 lead in the series despite Choctaw's 46-14 blowout win last year in North Carolina.
Warrior quarterback Anselm Henry scored four touchdowns in last week's 41-0 rout of Kemper County.
Union at Lake
The Hornets host Union in the Region 3-1A opener for both teams and neither team can afford a loss with Puckett and Pelahatchie also in the league.
Lake has won the last three meetings, two by a single point, to take an 11-9-1 lead in the series.
Union fell to 0-2 with last week's 33-12 pounding from West Lauderdale. Lake evened its record at 1-1 with a 19-16 win over Scott Central.
Leading Union is running back Anthony Johnson with 153 yards on 13 carries and running back Derrick Harris. Lake is led by running back LaDonovan Towner.
Enterprise at Kemper County
Kemper County stands at 0-1 after last week's 0-41 blowout loss to Choctaw Central. Friday night hands the Wildcats a home game versus Enterprise. Hopefully, this won't be a repeat of last year's 0-10 final record.
Led by head coach Undray Scott, the run focused Wildcat offense will continue to throw such backs as junior LaShaun Tripplett at the opposing defense.
Senior quarterback Paul Williams will be standing behind center.
The Wildcat defense has been led by senior Eric manchild' Hubbard along with linebackers Andre Tanksley and Terrick Moore.
The Cats suffered a big loss with the graduation of last season seniors Devron Watson and Andre Wright.
For a young team standing at 0-2, Friday night's game promises to be a big one for the Cats.
Kemper Academy at Carroll
The Kemper Academy Rams stand even with a 1-1 record after last week's 32-7 loss to University Christian. They look ahead to Friday's looming battle with Carroll.
New Rams head coach Gary Lee has stepped in to lead the Rams on the heels of losing 12 seniors from last year's team.
Some of the Rams big losses came with the departure of leading scorer and all-state selection Wade Whitaker and quarterback Justin Robertson.
The Rams current offense has been led by quarterback Jake Hand with most of the team made up of juniors.
Kemper Academy won it's season opener over Calhoun. Losing last week's game puts them even.
This week's game is not divisional, yet the Rams hope to build up some steam for next week's division opener versus Sylva-Bay.
The Rams are in the tough Academy 3-A league which includes the likes of defending Academy A state champions Heidelberg Academy and powerhouse Wayne Academy.
Friday nights bout will more than likely leave the Rams with much confidence for their divisional opener.
In other North area games, Central Academy is at East Holmes, Forest hosts Florence, Kemper Academy is at Carroll Academy, Leake Academy travels to Winston Academy, Louisville hosts Meridian, Nanih Waiya is at Sebastopol, Newton County Academy goes to Pelahatchie to take on East Rankin Academy, Noxapater hosts Puckett, Noxubee County hosts Columbus, and Scott Central hosts Carthage.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com or call him at 693-1551 ext. 3234.