MPSA football playoffs kick off tonight

By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
Oct. 31, 2003
It is finally playoff time!
The 2003 MPSA Playoffs will be in full swing and one game that is highlighted in the South Area will be a first round game between Heidelberg Academy and Sylva-Bay Academy.
Other games taking place in the South Area this week include: Wayne Academy at Central Holmes, Seminary at Enterprise, Heidelberg at Taylorsville, Quitman at Florence, Bay Springs at Bassfield and Wayne County at Northeast Jones.
Heidelberg Academy and Sylva-Bay met earlier in the season, and the Rebels took an impressive 35-0 shutout win in Bay Springs. The only difference for round two between the divisional foes is that the game will be played at Heidelberg Academy.
Heidelberg Academy has been the hottest team since the beginning of the season, after losing its first two games. The Rebels have won eight straight and hopes that streak continues against Sylva-Bay Academy.
Sylva-Bay will be entering the playoffs with only a pair of losses, but the two defeats have come against Heidelberg Academy and Wayne Academy.
Wayne Academy
at Central Holmes
Wayne Academy is also set for the first round of the playoffs, as the Jaguars head to Lexington for an opening-round game with Central Holmes.
The Jaguars took a 37-8 win on the road last week at Kemper Academy and Garet James was a main ingredient to the Wayne Academy success. James had runs of 51 and 13 yards for a pair of touchdowns in the victory, but on defense James collected an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown. Patton Stanley also had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the victory.
Central Holmes enters the playoffs with a 6-4 mark after a 42-0 loss at the hands of Central Hinds last Friday at home.
Seminary
at Enterprise
Enterprise will be looking to pull off the huge upset as the Seminary Bulldogs pay a visit to L.J. Davis Field tonight. Seminary clinched the Division 7-2A title with a 28-21 win over Taylorsville.
Enterprise improved to 6-3 last week with a 34-28 win on the road at Bassfield. Enterprise is guaranteed a playoff spot, but an upset win over 9-0 Seminary would be a big momentum booster for EHS going into the playoffs.
Enterprise got the job done last week thanks to senior Adam Simpson. Simpson had four touchdowns in the win and only two of the scores came off the running attack. Simpson had a 35-yard touchdown rush and a one-yard score, while collecting a 40-yard touchdown reception from Wade Weathers. Simpson also had a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs enough scoring for the win.
Seminary got three scores from Derwyn Cooley in the seven-point win over Taylorsville last week.
Heidelberg
at Taylorsville
The Oilers will look to salvage a win on the road this week at Taylorsville. Heidelberg got a hard fought 24-20 win on the road last Friday at Bay Springs. Raphael Jones had a pair of touchdown passes in the win, while Douglas Ryans had an eight-yard run as well.
Taylorsville is looking to clinch second place in Division 7-2A with a win over Heidelberg. The Tartars lost a 28-21 decision to Seminary last week.
Quitman
at Florence
Quitman will look to keep its winning ways going as the Panthers travel to Florence. Quitman got another fabulous game from senior running back Mike McLendon. McLendon had three touchdowns and piled up 187 yards of rushing in the win over Northeast Jones last week at Panther Field.
Sam Parks also had a one-yard touchdown run and Travis Chamblis had a 70-yard fumble recovery for a score as well.
Quitman has already clinched the third spot in the playoffs behind Wayne County and West Jones in Division 5-4A.
Bay Springs
at Bassfield
The Bulldogs will be seeking its first win in Division 7-2A at Bassfield this week. Bay Springs lost a heartbreaker at the hands of Heidelberg last week by a final score of 24-20.
The Bulldogs got the majority of its offense in the fourth quarter thanks to the passing game. Chris Fleming had two passing touchdowns, while Kendrick Holder had a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Wayne County
at Northeast Jones
The War Eagles will look to rebound after its first loss at the hands of West Jones last week 23-15. Wayne County got another rushing touchdown from Micheal McLaughlin in the loss and a passing touchdown from J.J. Taylor.
Northeast Jones lost a 38-14 game to Quitman last Friday night.