By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assitant
Nov. 29, 2002
Here we go again. Another fine week of games to choose from. In last week's action, teams that won first meetings this year were 9-5 in the rematches.
Double winners were South Panola, Oak Grove, West Point, George County, Corinth, Newton County, Union, Puckett, and Jackson Prep.
Teams that wouldn't be beaten by the same team twice were Amory, Eupora, Taylorsville, Gulfport St. John, and Magnolia Heights.
This week's 10 state semifinals have only three rematches: Southaven at South Panola, Wayne County at Oak Grove, and Puckett at Union.
South Panola at Southaven: South Panola is 13-0 and has a 28-14 win over Southaven to its credit from an Oct. 25 meeting at Batesville. Ricky Woods has righted South Panola's ship after a 5-6 record a year ago. Both teams are from Region 1-5A.
Southaven, 10-3, also has losses to Horn Lake (27-24) and Olive Branch (14-7). It would nice for me if South Panola can beat Southaven again.
Wayne County at Oak Grove: This game also features a rematch with two teams from Region 3-5A. Wayne County scored on an interception right before halftime in winning 28-7 on Oct. 18 at Waynesboro. Wayne County's only loss was to Hattiesburg (42-21), while the War Eagles are the only team to beat Oak Grove. Here's hoping Wayne County makes it to the state finals.
West Point at Grenada: Former Lake head coach John McCrory has the Grenada Chargers off to an 11-1 start and playing at home. Grenada's only loss was to Clarksdale (20-9). West Point is 11-2 with losses to Noxubee County (20-7) and Starkville (17-3).
Good ol' John needs one more win this year, for his sake as well as mine.
George County at D'Iberville: George County, 11-2, got past Picayune 20-19 in overtime last week when Scott Hillary's tying extra point sailed wide left. The Rebels apparently had some sort of spell on Hillary as he had missed a game-tying field goal in a 17-14 regular season loss.
D'Iberville, 11-1, steamrolled Brookhaven 31-7 last week. The Warriors' only loss came to Harrison Central (12-2) in the season opener.
All I know about D'Iberville is that Reggie Collier played there and I'm hoping the Warriors win tonight for Reggie.
Amory at Corinth: Corinth holds a perfect 13-0 record after winning 21-14 in overtime at Senatobia last week. Amory comes in with a 9-4 mark after beating Pontotoc 28-21 last week. Amory started 0-4 with losses to Aberdeen (17-7), Columbus (14-8), Tupelo (35-28), and Pontotoc (13-12).
I'm hoping Corinth can remain unblemished for another week.
Newton County at Collins: Both teams enter Friday's game with perfect 13-0 marks. Collins was the only blemish on Newton County's 12-1 season a year ago. The Cougars beat the Tigers 7-0 in the 2000 playoffs.
The game features two of the state's top defenses. Newton County has allowed only 34 points (2.6 per game) in 13 games. Collins' first team has allowed just 50.
Newton County head coach Jeff Breland was an assistant with John McCrory at Lake on the Hornets' 1988 13-0 2A championship team.
Newton County has not won after Thanksgiving and needs a road win to end that streak along with a 25-game winning streak by Collins. My heart says Cougars, but my brain says Collins.
Baldwyn at Eupora: Eupora, 12-1, beat Ackerman 35-34 in overtime last week with a 90-yard fumble return for a touchdown being the backbreaker for Ackerman.
Baldwyn, 12-1, put a 41-6 whipping on Ruleville Central last week. The Bearcats, more known for basketball than football, have lost only to unbeaten Class 3A semifinalist Corinth (17-5) on Sept. 27.
I'm hoping Baldwyn can pluck the Eagles.
Taylorsville at St. John: St. John knocked Taylorsville out of the 2001 playoffs with the use of an ineligible player who was allowed to play thanks to an injunction. This year finds St. John with an 11-2 mark after last week's 21-14 win over Lumberton. The two losses were to Lumberton (34-14) and Vancleave (37-21).
Taylorsville, 10-3, has three losses, but they were to 3A state semifinalist Collins (41-21), 4A playoff participant West Jones (22-19), and 2A state quarterfinalist Bay Springs (9-6).
You know what they say about paybacks. I'm hoping St. John knows before today is over.
Calhoun City at Weir: Weir enters tonight's battle with a 13-0 mark after whipping Vardaman 42-6 last week. Calhoun City is 11-2 with losses to Bruce (20-14) and Winona (28-24).
These two should stage quite a game, but here's hoping the Lions end up roaring in celebration.
Puckett at Union: These two met for the Region 3-1A championship on Nov. 8 at Union with the Yellowjackets taking an 18-13 win.
Union jumped out to a 25-0 halftime lead in beating Lake 31-14 last week. Even more impressive was Puckett's 42-0 halftime lead in a 42-21 win at Nanih Waiya.
Puckett is 0-2 in South State championship games, while Union has reached that level for the first time.
The Jackets need to use their stingers at every opportunity to silence the howling Wolves.