Trojans, Tigers meet in battle of county foes

By By Austin Bishop / EMG regional sports director
September 2, 2004
Southeast Lauderdale head football coach Ty Trahan and Northeast Lauderdale head man Steve Nelson agree on at least one thing last week is over.
The Tigers of Southeast opened the Trahan era with a stunning 27-20 home win over Enterprise, while Northeast Lauderdale dropped a tough 41-27 decision to Class 5A Northwest Rankin. It was a game Northeast was leading with just over two minutes to play.
"We relished (the win) in it a little bit, but we kind of put it behind us," Trahan said of the win that matched the Tigers' win total for each of the last two seasons. "We are focused on Northeast."
Northeast trailed 20-7 against Northwest Rankin, but managed to pull ahead 27-26 with 2:19 to play. But the homestanding Cougars put together a long drive and then scored on a late interception to post the 14-point win.
"The score is no indication of how close that game was," Nelson said. "I was proud of my kids for being down and then showing they were able to come up."
While Friday's 7:30 p.m. Northeast-Southeast showdown at NEL's football field is not a division matchup, it is still big for both teams.
"With this being a county rivalry, there are some bragging rights at stake," Nelson said. "It would be a letdown for your seniors if they did not win their rivalry game."