Clarkdale seeks to win second game of the season

By Staff
from staff reports
Oct. 8, 2004
Having tasted victory, the Clarkdale High School Bulldogs are looking to do it again today at 7 p.m. when they host Williams-Sullivan in an important Division 5-2A contest.
Clarkdale picked up its first win of the season with a 39-20 victory over Lake last week. The Bulldogs stand at 1-5. Williams-Sullivan dropped a 32-8 decision to Kemper County last week and stands at 2-4.
Gartman said he was very proud of his team's second half effort against Lake as they scored 32 points to overcome a 20-7 halftime deficit.
On the downside, running back Cedric Burns is questionable for tonight's game. He was sidelined for the first half of the Lake game with a dislocated shoulder, but came off the bench to rush for 99 yards to help the Bulldogs to victory.
Steve Swogetinsky
Choctaw Central at
Southeast Lauderdale
As far as any hopes for making the playoffs goes, tonight is do or die time for Southeast Lauderdale.
The Tigers, who go into the 7 p.m. homecoming game against visiting Choctaw Central, are 0-3 in Division 5-3A play and can't afford to lose another league game.
While Southeast Lauderdale is 2-4 overall, the Warriors are 0-6 for the season, including league losses to West Lauderdale, Morton and Carthage.
The Tigers also lost to West Lauderdale and Carthage, but their games were much closer than Choctaw Central's.
Carthage scored near the end of the game to beat Southeast Lauderdale 22-19 two weeks ago, while the Warrior lost to Carthage 28-12 last week.
West Lauderdale beat Choctaw Central 31-0 in the division opener, while the Knights had to rally from a 20-7 halftime deficit last week to beat the Tigers 34-20.
After tonight's game Southeast has league games remaining against Morton and Newton County. Both will be on the road.
Austin Bishop
No. 2 Wayne County at
Northeast Lauderdale
A week after a tough loss, Northeast Lauderdale draws an even tougher opponent.
Seven days off a 17-9 loss at Quitman, the Trojans (2-4) return home to host a most unwelcomed guest Wayne County (6-0), the state's second-ranked team.
The War Eagles, winners of the 5A state championship in 2002 and the 4A title in 2003, have lost just twice in the past three seasons. Even worse for Northeast Lauderdale, Wayne County is just now beginning to hit its stride.
After winning their first three games of the year by an average of 11 points, the War Eagles' offense has found its rhythm. Since Sept. 17, Wayne County has won its three contests by an average margin of 44 points 75-0 over Florence, 45-6 against Quitman and 35-18 at Salmen (La.).
Similarly, Northeast Lauderdale has improved its offensive production in its past three contests, even though the Trojans are just 1-2 over that span. Since a 22-0 loss to Newton County on Sept. 10, the Trojans have averaged 24 points per game, including a 42-point outburst in a 30-point win over Florence on Sept. 24.
Will Bardwell
Lamar at Wayne Academy
The Lamar Raiders will try to stay hot as they travel to take on Wayne Academy for a game scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 tonight.
The Raiders, which are coming off a 50-20 victory over Central Private and a 35-7 win over Parklane, are 3-3 for the season and will try keep their momentum against the 6-1 Jaguars.
The Jaguars have allowed just 32 points this season and will try to use their speed to knock off the Raiders.
The Jaguars are led by Brett Coxwell and Patton Stanley. Coxwell has scored 10 touchdowns for Wayne, while Stanley had scored nine.
The Raiders have a few players who are working through some illnesses, and the team has been taking exams this week.
Ryan Satcher
West Lauderdale at Newton
This is the last non-division game of the year for both West Lauderdale and Newton High School. So both would like to get a win to give them a boost heading into an important closing stretch.
The Knights found some offense in the second half last week, as they rallied for a 34-20 win over Southeast Lauderdale to move to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Division 5-3A play.
After today's 7 p.m. road contest with Newton, West Lauderdale closes the season with 5-3A games against Forest, Morton and Carthage.
Newton goes into the game with a 1-5 record, coming off a 50-24 loss to Philadelphia. WL lost to Philly 14-10 earlier in the season. Newton's lone win this season came 20-0 over league foe Kemper County.
After tonight's game, Newton closes its season with 5-2A games against Williams-Sullivan, Lake and Clarkdale.
Austin Bishop