Rebels, Saints to clash for state title

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Nov. 19, 2003
Heidelberg Academy and Trinity Episcopal Day School of Natchez have held a stranglehold on the MPSA Class A state football championship over the last three years.
Regardless of which team comes out on top in Thursday's championship game, their shared reign will extend to four years.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Robinson-Hale Stadium on the Mississippi College campus in Clinton.
Heidelberg won state titles in 2000 and 2002, while Trinity defeated Wayne Academy for the 2001 championship.
The Rebels will be making their eighth appearance in the championship game, having also won in 1980, 1981 and 1994 and finishing second in 1972 and 1974.
Trinity's Saints also won a state title in 1989 and finished second in 1975 and 1977.
The Saints come in with a perfect 13-0 mark. Heidelberg enters the fray with an 11-2 record. The Rebels have reeled off 11 straight wins following back-to-back losses to start the season.
Trinity has 13 seniors on its 25-man roster.
Lewis is equally impressed with the Saints.
Heidelberg beat Briarfield Academy of Lake Providence, La., 34-20 last week despite losing three fumbles. Two of the turnovers gave Briarfield the ball at the HA 2- and 13-yard lines and both resulted in touchdowns.
Paving the way for Heidelberg's 298 rushing yards against Briarfield were linemen Darrell Patrick, Mason Key, Chad Carmichael, Tyler Maples and Raymond Taormina.
King hopes his Saints can be classified as a dynasty the way Heidelberg is.
Lost late in the year was senior Chase Brown with a season-ending knee injury.