Win gives Wildcats boost

By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Sept. 25, 2002
A win has made things a lot more joyful around the Meridian High football program this week.
The Wildcats pulled off a surprise, beating 10th ranked Tupelo 17-3 in Tupelo last Friday night. The win was not only the first of the season but it was also the first for new Wildcat head coach Ed Stanley at Meridian.
An aggressive approach paid off for the Wildcats, Stanley said.
Meridian got points in all phases against Tupelo. A bad punt exchange by Tupelo, for a change, set up the Wildcats' first score on a 10-yard run by Cordae Campbell.
The Wildcat defense produced a safety near the end of the first half to up the lead to 8-3.
In the second half, Meridian went with a new quarterback in Anthony Brown. Brown finished with 53 yards rushing off 10 carries.
Brown came in and directed Meridian to nine points in the second half. The first score came on a two-yard run by Fred Patton. Place-kicker Andrew Gambrell then sealed it with a 38-yard field goal following an interception return by Kevin Moore.
Campbell had 58 yards off 20 carries and Patton had 48 yards on 11 totes. Mitts was 1-of-5 for 46 yards.
The injury report this week basically consists of Mitts, who will practice. Brown will get an equal amount of reps.
Meridian can't enjoy the win long. On Friday, top-ranked and unbeaten Wayne County visits Ray Stadium for the Region 2-5A opener for both clubs.