Rockets look to snap another streak
By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Sept. 18, 2003
Neshoba Central snapped a long losing streak to Philadelphia last Friday as its 27-12 victory buried a six-year reign by the Tornadoes.
The Rockets find themselves facing an even longer reign of woe this week as they travel to Louisville for the Division 4-4A opener for both teams.
Louisville has won the last 10 games in the series to grab a 23-5 all-time advantage.
Both teams enter Friday's contest at R.E. Hinze Stadium with 1-2 overall marks. Louisville fell 10-7 to 2002 Class 4A state runner-up West Point in overtime last week. Louisville had the ball first in overtime, only to lose it on a fumble.
The Rockets got all 327 of their yards on 47 rushes as they did not attempt a pass. For the year, Kevin Marshall has 298 yards on 63 rushes, Deshawn Smith has 204 yards on 44 carries, and Justin Porter has 130 yards on 17 rushes.
Leading the Rocket defense are Josh Moore with 26 tackles, Titus Clark with 22, and Marshall and Jason Yarbrough with 21 apiece.
Leading the Wildcats are quarterback Barry Doss and running backs Lakendrick Coleman and Brandon Dotson.
Philadelphia
at Taylorsville
After losing 27-12 to crosstown rival Neshoba Central last week, the Tornadoes (2-1) now have the unenviable task of traveling to Taylorsville to take on a 2-1 Tartar squad coming off a 6-0 loss to Lumberton.
Taylorsville has a 4-1 series lead with all five previous meetings coming in the playoffs. Philadelphia's lone win over the Tartars was a 27-12 victory at Taylorsville en route to capturing the Class 2A state championship in 1992.
Desmond Murray leads the Tornado offense with 262 yards on 44 carries. Porter Jordan is 16-of-38 passing for 248 yards, while Jarod Boler has seven receptions for 122 yards.
Leading the Philadelphia defense are Jamaal Peebles with 40 tackles, Anthony Gray with 26, James Seales with 25, Cameron Gates with 23, and Jeremy Boler with 22.
Kemper County
at Thomastown
Kemper County third-year head coach Undray Scott's 0-3 Wildcats look for their first win Friday when they travel to Leake County to take on the 3-0 Bulldogs of Thomastown.
Kemper County fell 41-0 at Heidelberg last week, while Thomastown knocked off Sebastopol 14-6.
Scott Central
at Nanih Waiya
The Region 3-1A standings could get a shakeup when the Warriors host the Rebels Friday night. Nanih Waiya improved to 2-1 overall and in league play with a 42-20 win at Union last week. Scott Central upped its records to 3-0 with a 51-6 blowout of Pisgah.
Darron Hickman scored 18 points in Nanih Waiya's win at Union with LaCory Ward adding a pair of touchdowns.
In three games, the Rebels have outscored their opponents 134-12.
Carroll Academy
at Leake Academy
Jeffery Chancellor was a one-man gang in Leake's 47-12 victory at Oak Hill Academy last week as he rushed for 311 yards and three touchdowns as the Rebels improved to 3-1.
Carroll is 2-2 overall. Both teams are 1-1 in Academy 2-AA.
For the year, Chancellor has run the ball 63 times for 624 yards. Justin Sturdivant has 197 yards on 42 carries and Cory Burns has picked up 181 yards on 51 rushes. Burns is 16-of-49 passing for 283 yards.
Leading the Rebel defense are Stuart Mangrum with 40 tackles, Colby Beem with 31, Jay Allen with 28, and Kyle Moore with 26.
Leake has won all five games in the series, including a 7-6 squeaker last year at Carrollton.
South Leake
at Noxapater
Another key game in Region 3-1A has Noxapater (2-1) hosting the unbeaten Wildcats of South Leake (2-0). Noxapater ripped Hatley 34-7 in a non-region contest last week, while South Leake was putting a 57-8 beating on Edinburg.
