MHSAA finalists mingle with media
By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Dec. 2, 2003
JACKSON Don't fix what isn't broken, seemed to be the motto of the day at the MHSAA football state championship press conference at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum on Monday.
Ten teams vying for state titles in the five classifications gathered to meet with the media to talk about the weekend championship games that kick off at 2:30 p.m. Friday with Booneville (10-4) taking on Seminary (14-0) for the 2A title.
The state championship games will continue on Saturday with Cleveland (12-2) meeting Greene County (10-4) for the 3A title at 11 a.m.
Oxford (10-4) will make its first appearance in the 4A championship game when it takes on Wayne County (13-1), which won the 5A state title last year before moving down a level this season, at 3 p.m.
Weir (14-0) will wrap up the weekend of championship contest taking on Scott Central (12-2) at 7:30 p.m. All games will be played at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The War Eagles are in an interesting position entering their championship game against the Chargers.
Wayne County could become the first team to win consecutive state titles after moving down a classification. Three teams have won back-to-back state championships after moving up a classification.
War Eagles linebacker Steve Gandy said the team isn't thinking about what Class number is on the trophy, but instead, the team is just focusing on winning another state crown.
South Panola is also making its second straight trip to Jackson to play for a state title this year. The Tigers lost to Wayne County last year 21-14.
Tigers has dominated the 5A North division this year, outscoring their opponents 613-106 to make to the championship game against the Warriors.
Nevil said his team will have to find a way to keep South Panola's offense from connecting on big plays on Friday,
In 1A action, Weir has captured five state championships in its history, but Scott Central linebacker/running back Nathaniel McKee said that might help his team as it goes for the title.
Seminary head coach Lance Mancuso is brining in a team that has never played for a state title in the 2A game. Seminary's opponent, Booneville, has captured three championships in its history.
The Bulldogs' sideline leader said having a team that hasn't played in a championship atmosphere has its advantages.
The 3A title match up brings together two teams that have never won a state championship before nor even played in the title game.
The guarantee of crowing a first time champion in the division adds a little more to the excitement to the game, according to Cleveland coach Mickey Sellers, whose team will meet Green County.
