Neshoba Central faces familiar opponent in 4A state playoffs

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Nov. 6, 2003
The Neshoba Central Rockets may be treading on some different ground this week in Class 4A playoff action, but they'll run into a familiar foe once they get there.
The Rockets are making their first playoff appearance since 1997 and who do they run into right off the bat? Former division rival Noxubee County in Friday's first round game at Macon. Kickoff for all playoff games is set for 7 p.m.
Neshoba Central comes in 5-5, while Noxubee County is 7-3 and the champion of Division 1-4A.
In the 20 previous meetings, the Rockets hold a 13-6-1 series lead. However, Noxubee has won the last five games. The Tigers took a 44-16 win last year in a game that Neshoba dominated in time of possession by nearly 30 minutes.
Top receivers for M.C. Miller's Tigers are Brandon Tate and Reggie Smith.
Noxubee's losses have been to Class 5A members Columbus (15-12) and West Point (42-6) and Class 3A power Corinth (20-13).
Gulfport St. John
at Philadelphia
The Tornadoes closed out an 8-2 regular season with a 37-12 win over Kemper County last week. Philadelphia hosts Gulfport St. John, 3-7, in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs Friday at Harpole Stadium.
St. John's only wins have come against North Forrest, Richton, and Mercy Cross. The Eagles have a four-game losing streak going into the playoffs.
Brown hopes to have junior linemen Dustin Crockett and Ken Evans back this week after the two have been out with injuries.
The 92 Tornadoes finished 13-0 and won the Class 2A state championship under Herschel Smith.
Louisville
at Amory
The Wildcats finished in a three-way tie at 5-1 in Division 4-4A with Pearl and Kosciusko, but got the No. 3 seed on the tiebreaker.
Louisville is 7-3 overall heading into Friday's Class 4A playoff game at Longenecker Field in Amory.
Amory comes in with an 8-2 mark. The Panthers were the Division 1-4A runner-up to Noxubee County, losing 28-23 two weeks ago to the Tigers. Amory's only other loss was to Columbus (13-10).
Nanih Waiya
at Thomastown
The Warriors, 7-3, can wrap up a playoff berth with a win at Thomastown, 6-4, Friday night.
In last week's 21-0 blanking of Pisgah, Nanih Waiya got three touchdown runs from Darron Hickmon. Hickmon scored on runs of five, three, and 15 yards.
Noxapater
at Puckett
The Tigers, 4-6, close out their season at defending Class 1A state champion Puckett, 8-1.
Puckett can win Region 3-1A if South Leake knocks off Scott Central and the Wolves defeat Noxapater.
Kemper County
at Lumberton
The Wildcats qualified for the Class 2A playoffs despite a 2-8 record. Their reward is a date at Lumberton, 9-1.
The Panthers have outscored their opponents 22.7-8.8, while Kemper has been outscored by a 27.3-11.1 margin.
Choctaw Central
The Warriors finished their season at 4-6 with last week's 28-14 loss at Newton County.
Leake Academy
The Rebels finished their year at 7-4 with last week's 14-6 loss to Simpson Academy.