By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Sept. 27, 2002
With the raindrops falling more often than the stock market these past few days, it leaves one with plenty of time to ponder the state of high school football as it pertains to area teams.
Some have done well, some have done about what was expected, and some have stunk it up. That being the case, it's time to send out those mid-season progress reports.
No doubt the top performance to date comes from the Wayne County War Eagles. When you're the No. 1 team in the state, that pretty much speaks for itself.
The fact that the 4-0 War Eagles have only played one home game thus far is even more impressive. They won't be back playing at Waynesboro until Oct. 11 as tonight's road trip to Meridian is followed by next week's visit to Hancock. Make your plans now to attend the Nov. 8 game at Waynesboro when Brandon comes calling.
In Class 4A, Noxubee County and Northeast Lauderdale are off to 3-1 starts. While Noxubee's mark is no surprise, Northeast's might be, especially at first glance.
However, the Trojans were 3-0 last year before finishing 3-7 and 4-1 in 2000 before winding up 4-7. Still, the good start gives Steve Nelson's first Trojan team a shot at its first winning season since 1990.
In Class 3A, Newton County and Philadelphia are the cream of the crop thus far as both are 4-0. Start making plans to hire a baby sitter if needed, but the two tangle on Oct. 25 at Decatur in what could be one of the area's top games for the 2002 regular season.
Don't forget Heidelberg in the 3A race. The Oilers are a senior-laden team and their only loss has been to Noxubee County on the road.
In Class 2A, Enterprise is off to a 4-0 start.
The level of competition picks up tonight when the Bulldogs go to Newton and keeps pretty steady from here on out as Enterprise has dates with Bay Springs, Taylorsville, and Seminary.
Newton's 3-1 mark is quite credible considering the Tigers' haven't played at home yet. They took an overtime win at Lake, won a close one at Amite County, lost at Ackerman in overtime, and won at Forest on a late 70-yard interception return.
Scott Central is off to a 4-0 start and is in Division 5-2A with Newton. The two meet at Newton on Nov. 1. Go ahead and make plans for that one as it should be another dandy.
In Class 1A, Nanih Waiya is rolling to a 4-0 start. Key games for Ken McMullan's squad are tonight when Lake calls, Oct. 11 at Puckett, and Oct. 25 when Union visits.
Lake and Union figure to factor into the playoff race.
In Academy AAA, Lamar stands a pretty good shot at making the playoffs from District 2-AAA Division 2. Two of the four teams in the league advance with the remainder of the league being Copiah, Adams Christian, and Central Private. Only the Copiah game will be at home with next week's journey to the Baton Rouge, La., suburb of Baker to face Central Private being a big key to the Raiders' season.
In Academy AA, the Leake Academy Rebels are off to a surprising 4-1 start and lead the Academy 2-AA standings with a 3-0 mark following wins over Oak Hill, Manchester, and Carroll.
After lightweights Bayou, Benton, and East Rankin the next three games, the Rebels go to Canton Academy on Oct. 18 and host Heritage on Oct. 25.
In Academy A, pick your poison. Heidelberg Academy and Kemper Academy are both 3-0 in the league and meet tonight at Heidelberg. Wayne Academy is 2-0 and hosts 1-1 Winston Academy on Saturday. Any of those four could make the state playoffs and go a long way.