By By Austin Bishop / EMG regional sports director
April 23, 2004
After years of opening the Class 3A playoffs at home, the West Lauderdale Knights find themselves in an unusual situation.
Due to the fact that the MHSAA went to a new double-elimination, four-team tournament format, West Lauderdale will find itself on the road at Greene County to open the playoffs, instead of hosting a first-round series.
West Lauderdale and Newton County will travel to Leakesville to join Columbia and host Greene County in the tournament.
The 23-6 Knights take on Columbia at 4 p.m., while 16-13 Newton County and Greene County match up at 7 p.m.
Each of the tournaments feature games at noon, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, with the title game set for 4 p.m. on Monday. If the undefeated team loses at 4, then there will be an if-necessary game at 7 p.m. to decide which team advances to the next round.
Boatner says the format gives coaches no choice but to go all out to win that first game.
If a team loses on the opening day, it will have to win four straight games in order to win the tournament.
Clarkdale, 15-10 under second-year head coach Steve Marlow, travels to Loyd Star to face the host team at 7 p.m.
The opening game of that tournament has Seminary and Madison St. Joseph playing at 4 p.m.
Quitman takes on Bay St. Louis at East Central High School at 4 p.m. today in the Class 4A playoffs.
The 7 p.m. game in that tournament has host East Central playing West Jones.
Philadelphia High School and Newton High School both travel to Lumberton, with Philly facing Mercy Cross at 4 p.m. and Newton taking on Lumberton at 7 p.m.
Union travels to Natchez to face Enterprise-Lincoln at 4 p.m. in the 1A playoffs.