Eagles, Mustangs clash for division supremacy

By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
Oct. 23, 2003
It doesn't get any bigger than this. The game that will take up the headlines on Saturday morning has arrived for Wayne County and West Jones. Both of the teams enter tonight with identical 8-0 overall records and 4-0 records in Division 5-4A play.
Other games taking place in the South Area this week include: Northeast Jones at Quitman, Heidelberg at Bay Springs, Enterprise at Bassfield, Heidelberg Academy at East Rankin Academy, Wayne Academy at Kemper Academy, and Sylva-Bay Academy at Newton County Academy.
Wayne County enters the game ranked No. 2 in the state of Mississippi according to the Associated Press, while the Mustangs are right behind the War Eagles at number four.
Wayne County is coming off a 49-6 road victory last week against Mendenhall. Jarrod Sims was the scoring machine last Friday with four touchdowns. Sims had a pair of rushing touchdowns in the game from 29 and 28 yards. Sims also collected two touchdown catches from 15 and 47 yards to lead the Wayne County attack.
West Jones took an impressive 45-14 win at home last week over divisional foe Quitman. Running back Justin Young had 28 carries for 181 yards. while quarterback Brett Hyatt threw for 232 yards on 10-of-23 passing.
Northeast Jones
at Quitman
The Panthers will be looking to get back on the winning track as Northeast Jones rolls into town for a pivotal Division 5-4A game. Quitman lost a tough game last week at the hands of West Jones in Laurel by a final score of 45-14.
The highlight on offense for the Panther was the fine rushing of senior running back Mike McLendon. McLendon finished the game with 22 rushes for 164 yards in the setback for the Panthers. McLendon managed the only two scores in the game for the Panthers. McLendon scored on a 91-yard run and a 20-yard run to account for the Quitman offense.
Northeast Jones improved to 5-3 last week by taking a 49-3 win at home over Florence. Alexis Keller had a pair of touchdowns in the game on a 48-yard run and a one-yard run to pace Northeast Jones.
Heidelberg
at Bay Springs
The Oilers and Bulldogs are in much need of a Division 7-2A tonight at Bay Springs hosts Heidelberg. The Oilers won a huge game at home last week over Bassfield by a final score of 30-14.
The Heidelberg offense was paced by a huge 28-point third quarter. Raphael Jones led the Oiler attack with a 57-yard touchdown pass and a 22-yard rushing touchdown. Douglas Ryans also added a one-yard score to cap the great night on offense for the Oilers.
Bay Springs is in much need of a division win after dropping a 48-0 loss to Seminary last Friday. The Bulldogs enter the game without a win in Division 7-2A play.
Enterprise
at Bassfield
The Bulldogs are looking to fight back after a 33-16 loss on the road last week at Taylorsville. Enterprise opened the passing attack with a pair of touchdown passes by quarterback Wade Weathers.
Enterprise also collected a safety on defense last week on a solo tackle by Cory Irby. Bassfield enters the game with a 4-4 mark and a winless division record. Bassfield dropped a 30-14 loss to Heidelberg last week on the road.
Heidelberg Academy
at East Rankin
The Rebels will look to keep its winning way going as they travel to East Rankin for a non-divisional game with East Rankin. Heidelberg Academy captured a 35-0 win over Sylva-Bay and nailed down the Division 3-A title.
The Rebels collected 234 yards of offense in the win and 204 came by way of the rush. Brent Welch led the way with 15 carries on 100 yards rushing for Heidelberg Academy.