By By Dale McKee / EMG sports writer
Sept. 13, 2002
The Laurel Golden Tornadoes, ranked No. 13 by Associated Press, visit the Wayne County War Eagles, ranked No. 1 in the state by AP, for a 7:30 p.m. showdown tonight.
Laurel is coming off two rollercoaster' games. The Tornadoes led Meridian, 24-0 at halftime, before holding for a 27-26 victory two weeks ago. Last week, Laurel trailed Hattiesburg, 26-0 at halftime, before rallying for a
thrilling, 34-33 victory.
Wayne County, meanwhile, drilled Mendenhall, 35-14, after beating previously No. 1-ranked Vicksburg, 28-13, in the season opener.
Wayne County is pleased to be rated No. 1 in the state, but they know Laurel would love to knock them off.
Wayne County has never been ranked number one in any sport. Old Waynesboro Central was number one in basketball back in 1982 for one week in the Jackson Clarion's-Ledger's poll.
Wayne Academy at Oak Forest
The Wayne Academy Jaguars sent out a loud and clear message to the other division 3A teams this weekend with a 33-0 win over Sylva-Bay.
This week the Jaguars travel to Oak Forest, La., for a non-division contest. Oak Forest is coming off an impressive 26-0 win over Parklane Academy.
The win puts Wayne at 1-0 in district play and 2-1 overall. Sylva-Bay fell to 0-1 in league play and 2-1 overall.
Kemper County at Enterprise
The homestanding Bulldogs look to run their record to 3-0 on the season when they play host to the 0-2 Wildcats from DeKalb.
Enterprise took a 27-12 home win over South Leake last Thursday, after opening the year with a win over Union.
Kemper has lost to Nanih Waiya 28-8 and Choctaw Central 34-18.
Quitman at Greene County
The Panthers of Quitman High School look to get back in the win column when they travel to Leakesville to take on Greene County on Friday night.
Last week, Greene County, a 3A power knocked off Class 4A George County 28-21 behind the 170 rushing yards and three touchdowns of Chuck Ross.
Newton Academy at Heidelberg
The Rebels rolled up 225 yards rushing in whipping Central of Macon 50-0. The visiting Rebels led 43-0 at halftime. Heidelberg had seven different players score touchdowns. Junior quarterback Brooks Lewis ran for two scores and passed for two others. Brody Bustin, Jeremy Eason, Brent Welch, and Chris Kittrell all had rushing touchdowns. Matt Andrews and Joe McLeod caught touchdown passes. Mason Key hit a 30-yard field goal and kicked six conversions.
Heidelberg's defense held Central to minus 13 yards. Newton fell to Kemper 28-0 in league play and is 1-2 overall. HA beat Newton 50-0 last season.
The Rebels are still ranked number one in the Class A Academy football poll.
Bay Springs at Heidelberg
The bragging rights for Jasper County will be on the line Friday night when the Bulldogs of Bay Springs travel to Heidelberg.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Heidelberg.
Both teams are coming off losses last week.
The Oilers lost to Noxubee County 47-13, while the Bulldogs fell to Northeast Jones 21-13.
Bay Springs has dominated the series of late, but Heidelberg head coach Larry McGill thinks that could be a plus for his squad.
First-year head coach Cecil Hicks says this is the game that his players look forward to each year.
McGill says that the game is like a heavyweight boxing match, and his Oilers plan to stand toe to toe with the Bulldogs, who won last season 34-0 in this rivalry.
Hicks says he is impressed with Heidelberg quarterback Michael Johnson.
Sylva-Bay at Winston
Don't be fooled by the Patriots' 1-2 record. They are for real. Speedster runningback Lenny Boatner put on a show against Tri-County last week scoring on runs of 15, 70, 65, and 32 yards in leading Winston past Tri-County 35-12. Winston is ranked second in the statewide Class A Academy poll put out by a Jackson newspaper.
Raleigh at Taylorsville
Taylorsville got back on the winning track last week by winning Smith County bragging rights with a hard- earned, 12-6 win over Mize. Raleigh, though, lost 22-19 to Nanih Waiya.
Vance Mathis scored on an 11-yard run for Taylorsville in last week's big win. Baker Ford also caught an eight-yard pass from Kris Thigpen for the Tartars' other score.
Salem at Mize
Mize will open Division 4-1A play against Salem.
The Bulldogs were picked to win the division title in the coaches' preseason poll. Salem was picked eighth in the ten team race. In last week's loss to Taylorsville, Mize jumped out to a 6-0 lead on a touchdown run by quarterback Jay Johnson. The Tartars came back and scored twice in the second period and then held on to win 12-6.