Trojans, Tigers look to bounce back in first Division 5-4A game

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Sept. 17, 2003
Two teams will enter their first division game of the year coming off disappointing losses when Northeast Lauderdale hosts Northeast Jones on Friday.
The Trojans and Tigers, members of Division 5-4A, both had sloppy performances in losses on Friday. Northeast Lauderdale lost to Newton County, and Northeast Jones gave up a comeback win to Petal.
Northeast Lauderdale head coach Steve Nelson, whose team is 1-2 entering Friday's game, said his team must eliminate the mistakes that have hurt them in their two losses.
Big plays are what befell the Tigers on Friday, when they suffered their first loss to Petal. Leading 21-13 in the fourth quarter, Petal reeled off a 76-yard touchdown run and a 73-yard interception return to clip Northeast Jones 27-21.
Tigers head coach Bubba Hathorn said a lack of focus was to blame for the team's late letdown.
Hathorn, the former head coach at Clarkdale, knows his defense will be tested again versus Northeast Lauderdale.
Langston was one of the bright spots for the Trojans in Friday's 30-20 loss to Newton County. The sophomore quarterback rushed for 134 yards and one touchdown and passed for two more.
Still, Nelson said the offense cannot rely solely on Langston.
Hathorn said he hopes his defense plays more like the unit that allowed only 20 points in their first two games.
Nelson said the Trojans offense still has a lot of room for improvement, and he hopes the running game will continue to produce results.