Wayne Co. tightens hold on No. 1

By Staff
From staff and wire reports
Oct. 8, 2002
Unbeaten Wayne County is tightening its grip on the top spot in The Mississippi Associated Press Top 20.
The War Eagles, coming off a 31-15 victory over Hancock last Friday, received 12 of a possible 16 first-place votes and 151 points to outdistance No. 2 South Panola by 12 points in the poll released Monday.
In the Little 10, Ackerman is No. 1 and Weir is No. 2 for the second straight week.
On the local scene, Newton County dropped to No. 13 in the poll, despite a handy 41-0 whipping of Choctaw Central High School. NCHS was tied with George County for No. 10 last week.
Noxubee County climbed from No. 13 to No. 11 on the back of a 36-22 win over Louisville High School.
In the little 10, Newton High School made its first appearance of the season in the poll, being tied for No. 10 with Okolona. Newton's only loss was an overtime setback on the road against No. 1 Ackerman.
Wayne County has been No. 1 for four straight weeks. South Panola received four first-place votes and 139 points. No. 3 Starkville got 134 points.
The top 10 was virtually unchanged this week. The only change was Newton County, which was tied for No. 10 last week, dropping to No. 13.
South Panola and Starkville, both improved to 6-0, as did No. 5 Collins and No. 6 Warren Central.
No. 4 Clarksdale improved to 5-1 last Friday with a 69-0 victory over Indianola Gentry.
The rest of the top 10 is No. 7 Brandon, No. 8 South Pike, No. 9 Jackson Provine and No. 10 George County.
Ackerman received six first-place votes and 52 points in the Little 10. Weir received four first-place votes and 44 points. No. 3 Baldwyn and No. 4 Eupora switched places. No. 5 East Marion received three first-place votes.