Undefeated, No. 12 Cougars play host to West Knights

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Sept. 26, 2002
The Newton County Cougars, ranked No. 12 in the state, seek to claim another victim Friday night when they host Division 5-3A rival West Lauderdale for homecoming. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
The series between neighbors began in 1990 when Newton County was formed. The Cougars won the first meeting 28-0 and hold a 10-1 advantage following 27-9 and 40-10 wins last fall at Collinsville. The Knights' only win came in 1994.
Through four games, the Cougars are allowing an average of 81 yards rushing and 28 yards passing.
The 4-0 Cougars beat Neshoba Central 31-7 last week with Terrance Patrick leading the defense with 11 tackles and an interception. On offense, Patrick caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Colby Amis.
West, 1-3, lost 36-7 at Heidelberg last week with running back Carlessio Blanks leaving the game with a neck injury in the first quarter. He did not return, but is expected to be back this week, Knights' head coach Stan McCain said.
The first test is Newton County.
Enterprise at Newton
The Tigers finally play their first home game of the year at E.L. Morgan Field Friday night.
The 3-1 Tigers have fared well on the road, beating Lake, Amite County, and Forest with the lone loss coming at defending 2A state champion Ackerman in overtime.
Cornelius Caraway provided the winning margin at Forest last week when he picked off a late game pass and returned it for a touchdown in the 27-21 victory.
Enterprise is 4-0 following last week's 38-0 brawl-shortened rout of Raleigh.
Sebastopol at Union
Both teams enter Friday's homecoming contest at Union coming off tough losses. Union, 1-3, fell 14-12 in overtime at Thomastown despite outgaining the Bulldogs 259-147 in total yards. Sebastopol, 1-3, lost a 14-7 contest to Pisgah.
For either team to realistically stay in the playoff race, a win this week is essential.
At Thomastown, Anthony Johnson had 148 yards on 20 carries for the Jackets.
Union popped the Bobcats 28-6 last year to up the Yellowjackets' lead in the series to 9-5.
Newton County Academy
at Central Academy
The Generals travel to Macon to take on Central Academy. The Vikings beat NCA 14-0 last year to trim the Generals' series lead to 8-4. The teams have met every year since the series began in 1990.
The 1-4 Generals lost 34-17 to Wayne Academy last week, but got a pair of touchdowns from Lee Blackburn to go with a 28-yard field goal by Blake Hedrick. One of Blackburn's scores came on an 85-yard kickoff return.
Central, 1-4, hasn't scored since a 34-0 win over Union Academy in the season opener.
NCA is 0-3 in Academy 3-A, while Central is 0-2.