Lawrence County defeats Northeast Lauderdale
By By Will Bardwell/staff writer
November 15, 2003
Northeast Lauderdale got touchdowns from seniors Rod Smith and Ed Pearce on Friday but could not muster enough production as Lawrence County downed the Trojans 27-14 at Monticello.
It was the first time in school history that Northeast Lauderdale advanced past the first round of the state playoffs, and only the third time the Trojans made it to the playoffs at all. The last time Northeast Lauderdale earned a playoff berth was 1985.
Lawrence County scored all the points it would need for its second-round victory in the first half. The Cougars scored three rushing touchdowns to build a 21-0 halftime lead before the Trojans struck back. Sophomore quarterback Maurice Langston found Smith for a 5-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, cutting the Lawrence County lead to 21-7.
The Cougars added another rushing touchdown later in the third quarter, but the Trojans answered again. Langston threw another touchdown pass, this time to Pearce, from 14 yards out. It was the last scoring that the Trojans would enjoy, though.
Northeast Lauderdale finished the season at 5-7. Lawrence County is 10-2.
Louisville 20
Clarksdale 9
Josh Black's 22-yard field goal in the third quarter put Louisville up to stay, and Brandon Dotson's 7-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter put the game away as the Wildcats downed Clarksdale 20-9 at Louisville.
Louisville trailed 9-2 at halftime after a Clarksdale safety in the second quarter broke a 7-7 tie. Black's field goal put the Wildcats back on top, and Dotson's touchdown run in the final period gave Louisville a 17-9 lead.
Black added another field goal, a 24-yarder, later in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats are now 9-3 and will host Oxford in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs. Clarksdale finished the season at 9-3.
Mize 28
Nanih Waiya 6
Tony Agee had two touchdowns for Mize on Friday as the Bulldogs beat Nanih Waiya 28-6.
Mize jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead over the Warriors. Agee had a 55-yard punt return for the Bulldogs' first touchdown and Jasper Duckworth had a 7-yard touchdown run. Both scores were followed by unsuccessful point-after attempts.
Joseph Adcock kicked a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter to give Mize a 15-0 lead, and Perry Jones added a 9-yard touchdown run late in the first half.
Nanih Waiya's only score came in the third quarter. Senior defensive back Kevin Gregory recovered a Mize fumble and ran 35 yards.
Gregory's defensive touchdown was answered later in the third quarter by the Bulldogs on Agee's second touchdown, which came on a 2-yard run.
Mize improved to 10-2 with the win. Nanih Waiya finished its season at 8-4.
West Jones 58
South Pike 29
West Jones built a commanding 35-7 lead at the half before doubling up South Pike 58-29 on Friday.
The Mustangs, the state's No. 2-ranked team, jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Britt Barefoot had two touchdown receptions a 58-yarder and a 31-yarder from quarterback Brett Hyatt. Hyatt also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
South Pike responded early in the second quarter with their only score of the first half, a 17-yard touchdown pass from Kelsy Island to Jessie Burton.
West Jones responded by scoring twice more before halftime, though. Archie Sims picked off a South Pike pass and ran it back for a touchdown, and Justin Young punched in a one-yard touchdown run before halftime.
The Mustangs are now 12-0.
Seminary 47
East Marion 7
The Seminary Bulldogs made short work of East Marion on Friday night in the Class 2A playoffs at Seminary.
Seminary raced out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead and coasted to a 47-7 second-round victory. The Bulldogs (12-0) will play at Heidelberg next week in the South State semifinals.
This team understands where it's at, and what it's going to take each week,'' Seminary coach Lance Mancuso said. We've got a bunch of level heads, and they're real down to earth.''
Mike Watts passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as Seminary, ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Little 10 poll, dominated East Marion (9-3).
It was just an old-fashioned country whipping,'' East Marion coach Les Peters said. Their line knocked us off the ball all night long and their defense never let us get anything going.''
Seminary held the Eagles to just 85 yards of offense, while rolling up 405 yards.
Marcus Duplessey ran 15 times for 116 yards and caught a touchdown pass. Tim Holloway had two first-quarter scores for the Bulldogs.
The Associated Press
Houston Academy 20
Southern Choctaw 0
Houston Academy overcame mistakes to take a 20-0 win over defending state champion Southern Choctaw in the AHSAA Class 2-A state playoffs.
Southern Choctaw ends the season with an 8-3 record. Over the last three years Southern Choctaw has won two state championships and has a 36-3 record.
The Indians were unable to take advantage of Houston's miscues, including a pass interception and two fumbles.
Houston Academy used a double wing offense, which it installed this week, to score its 20 points on the Indians.
Jimmy Boone
Edgewood 38
South Choctaw 8
Edgewood Academy ended South Choctaw's season in the semifinals of the AISA Class AA playoffs.
Edgewood (11-1) was led by quarterback Phillip Moore who completed 15-of-28 pass for 278-yards and three touchdowns. Moore ran for a fourth touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Edgewood jumped out to a 12-0 first half lead as Phillip Moore found Kyle Moore with two touchdown passes. Edgewood will face Wilcox Academy next Saturday in the championship game.
Jimmy Boone