Repeats rule in MHSAA showdowns
By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Nov. 28, 2003
It simply doesn't get any better on the high school football level than the rematch between Wayne County and West Jones tonight in Waynesboro.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with gates to open at 4 p.m.
West Jones won the first meeting, which was also played at Waynesboro, 23-15 on Oct. 24.
Over the last two years, Wayne County has a 26-2 record, West Jones head coach Scott Pierson quickly points out. Over that same span, Pierson's Mustangs are 24-1 and are 13-0 this year.
Wayne County head coach Marcus Boyles expects a crowd in the 10,000 range tonight.
"We sold 9,500 tickets last time," Boyles said.
The winner will face the Noxubee County-Oxford winner for the Class 4A state title next week in Jackson.
Return matches are the order of the day in the North/South State finals as six of the 10 games are encore performances from earlier contests.
"There seems to be a lot of them this year," Boyles said.
Starkville-South Panola II
The Yellowjackets and Tigers also meet for the second time this year at Batesville. South Panola won the first game 33-15 on Oct. 31 behind three short touchdown runs from Derek Pegues.
South Panola outgained the Yellowjackets 348-233 in total yards, rushing 41 times for 255 yards. The Tigers also overcame six fumbles, three of which were lost. Starkville had only one turnover.
The 33 points are South Panola's second-lowest output for the entire season. The Tigers were held to 21 in a 21-0 blanking of West Point last week.
Picayune-Oak Grove II
Oak Grove's 13-0 Warriors edged the Maroon Tide 21-14 in their first meeting. Oak Grove had 365 total yards to 336 for Picayune.
The Warriors had the game's only two turnovers, both of which were interceptions.
Picayune ran 66 offensive plays to only 44 for Oak Grove, but Garry Pack rushed for a pair of touchdowns (53 and 13 yards) to lead the Warriors.
Senatobia-Cleveland II
In their first meeting, Cleveland doubled Senatobia 26-13 as Ken Cox scored on runs of 1, 12, and 2 yards.
Cleveland racked up 52 points in a 52-29 blowout of North Pontotoc last week. North Panola is led by former Neshoba Central head coach Pat Davis.
Seminary-Taylorsville II
Seminary edged Taylorsville 28-21 in their first meeting. Derwyn Cooley scored on pass receptions of 27 and 68 yards from Mike Watts and on a 49-yard run to lead Seminary.
Durant-Weir II
Weir scored a close 21-14 victory over Durant in their first meeting. The Lions got a 10-yard run from Jermaine Woodard in overtime to beat the Tigers. Durant led 14-7 at halftime before Weir drew even in the fourth quarter on a 30-yard pass from Larium Miller to Cedric Miller.
Fresh Blood
The only 'first time around' games tonight have Noxubee County, 10-3, traveling to Oxford, 9-4, in the 4A North half finals, Forest, 10-2-1, hosting Greene County, 9-4, in the 3A South State title game, Booneville, 9-4, going to Eupora, 10-3, in the 3A North State championship contest, and Scott Central, 11-1, hosting Mize, 11-2, in the 1A South half championship.
Noxubee has won eight straight after losing 20-13 to Corinth. The Tigers' other losses were to West Point and Columbus. Their victims include Louisville, Shannon, Amory, Saltillo, Pontotoc, and Jackson Provine.
Oxford edged Louisville 14-13 last week after the Wildcats squandered a first-and-goal at the Charger 5-yard line with eight minutes remaining.
Forest has turned around a 3-8 showing of a year ago and is 10-2-1 in Brad Peterson's first year with the Bearcats. Forest's losses were to Newton County and Philadelphia.
Greene County knocked off two-time defending state champion Collins 10-7 last week. Collins was without starting quarterback Corey McLaurin. Backup Demetrius Keys lost three first-half fumbles and threw an interception in the fourth quarter.
