Looking for a better effort this weekend
By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Nov. 22, 2002
One would think after last week's 10-right, nine-wrong fiasco in picking high school football games, I would find something better to do this week. Even Steve Swogetinsky got 13 games right and he's to picking games what Vanderbilt is to SEC football.
Remember that old coaching axiom about it being hard to beat the same team twice in the same season? Last week, nine games had rematches with the original loser winning three of the return matches.
Wayne County, Gulfport, Collins, Taylorsville, North Delta, and Heidelberg Academy each won the rematch.
At the other end, Louisville, Picayune, and Bay Springs weren't going to be beaten twice by the same team. This week's picks find 12 rematches. I think I'm in trouble.
South Panola at Horn Lake: All I know here is that South Panola is unbeaten and has a 41-24 win over Horn Lake to its credit. Good enough for me.
Southaven at Warren Central: Both are 9-3 and haven't met this year. The Vikings won at Starkville last week. Here's hoping they're on a hot streak.
Gulfport at Wayne County: The Admirals' speed will test the War Eagle defense. Wayne County will pass the test.
Oak Grove at Brandon: Oak Grove won the first meeting 38-35 at home on Oct. 11. Brandon won 28-27 last year. This one might be worth the ride to Brandon and I'm pulling for the Bulldogs.
Lafayette County at Grenada: Grenada is 10-1, losing only at Clarksdale. Lafayette won 17-12 at Clarksdale last week. So why'd I pick Grenada?
Louisville at West Point: West Point won the Oct. 18 contest at Louisville 17-7. I'm picking the Greenies to do it again.
Picayune at George County: George County won the Oct. 18 meeting 17-14 at Lucedale. Picayune won last year's contest 34-33. Again, if you don't mind a ride to see a great game, this is it. Cheer for the Rebels if you go.
Corinth at Senatobia: Corinth is unbeaten. I hope it stays that way.
Pontotoc at Amory: Pontotoc is 11-1 and has a 13-12 win over Amory on Sept. 20 at Pontotoc to its credit. Amory is 8-4, but has played Columbus and Tupelo. Go Amory!
Newton County at Heidelberg: Newton County won 24-6 just three weeks ago at Heidelberg. Are both teams looking ahead to the Collins-Greene County winner next week? Can't see the Cougars losing just yet.
Collins at Greene County: Two 12-0 teams battle it out in Leakesville and Collins won it all a year ago.
Eupora at Ackerman: Yes, Ackerman beat Eupora 28-19 on Sept. 20 at Ackerman, but the Eagles fared better against the other five teams in Division 2-2A than Ackerman did. Go you Eagles!
Bay Springs at Taylorsville: Bay Springs beat the Tartars 9-6 on Oct. 11 at Taylorsville. Has anybody ever beaten the Tartars twice in the same year? They don't need to start now.
Union at Lake: Union won 27-20 at Union on Sept. 13, but winning the rematch at Death Valley will be one tough chore. Again, if you're looking for a good game, this could equal the 1988 Lake-Enterprise game that Lake won 25-21 behind four touchdowns from Sammie Holifield. This one could come down to an extra point.
Puckett at Nanih Waiya: At first glance, Puckett would seem a prohibitive favorite. The Wolves won the first meeting 28-6 at Puckett and are 10-1, while Nanih Waiya is 9-3. But any team who can win 28-0 at Mize must have something good going for it.
Jackson Academy at Jackson Prep: Prep always beats JA and with all the crying the JA folks have done about having to play in the mud at Prep in a 14-6 regular season loss, Prep won't feel bad about beating the Raiders again. Score one for me.
MRA at Magnolia Heights: MRA put a 36-14 flogging on Magnolia Heights on Sept. 13 at Senatobia. An instant replay would be nice.
