Area prep powers continue playoffs
By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Nov. 17, 2003
Eight area teams remain alive in the football playoffs with a pair of MPSA members going for state championships this week.
Heidelberg Academy begins this week's action on Thursday when the 11-2 Rebels take on 13-0 Trinity Episcopal of Natchez at Mississippi College's Robinson-Hale Stadium at 1 p.m.
Heidelberg outscored Briarfield Academy of Lake Providence, La., 34-20 last week to reach the title game for the eight time in school history.
Trinity Episcopal remained unbeaten with a 33-19 victory over Tallulah (La.) Academy.
On Friday, Lamar makes its second championship game appearance in school history. The Raiders, 10-2, take on Madison-Ridgeland Academy, also 10-2, in a repeat of an early-season game which Lamar won handily at MRA.
The Raiders edged Lee Academy 8-7 Friday at Grey Cobb Field. MRA advanced with a 27-19 victory over Adams County Christian School. MRA lost to Magnolia Heights in last year's Academy AAA Division 2 title game.
In MHSAA action, Meridian gets a return match with Oak Grove when the 8-4 Wildcats host the 12-0 Warriors Friday night at Ray Stadium. Oak Grove nipped Meridian 28-21 five weeks ago at Oak Grove.
In Class 4A, three area teams have advanced to third-round action. Wayne County's 11-1 War Eagles travel to Lucedale to take on 10-2 George County. Wayne County edged Brookhaven 25-20 on the road last week, while George County claimed a 21-14 victory at Quitman.
Noxubee County carries a 9-3 mark to Jackson to take on the 11-1 Provine Rams. The Tigers hammered Pontotoc 33-7 last week at Macon, while Provine edged Pearl 12-5.
Louisville, 9-3, will host Oxford, 8-4, at R.E. Hinze Stadium. The Wildcats beat Clarksdale 20-9 last week, while Oxford's Chargers spanked Kosciusko 28-6.
In Class 2A, Enterprise carries an 8-4 record into its rematch with the 9-3 Taylorsville Tartars at Taylorsville. Taylorsville won the regular season contest with the Bulldogs. Enterprise nipped Gulfport St. John 20-19 last week at Enterprise, while Taylorsville edged Lumberton 21-20 in overtime at Lumberton.
Heidelberg's 8-4 Oilers are next in line to try and derail Seminary's unbeaten season. Heidelberg scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to knock off Perry Central 22-20 last week. Seminary improved to 12-0 with a 47-7 rout of East Marion.
