As the weeks have passed and the victories have mounted, the stakes have risen for the East Oktibbeha County High School football team.
First place in Class 1A, Region 3 and a three-game win streak will be on the line at 7 p.m. Friday when East Oktibbeha travels to Noxapater.
“What we have done so far is make sure the games we play in October have meaning,” East Oktibbeha coach Randy Brooks said. “The first half of the season is where you establish the habits and confidence you need to have to finish the season.”
East Oktibbeha (5–1, 3-0 region) beat West Lowndes 6-0 two weeks ago for its third-straight region win. The Titans took time to celebrate their first victory against the Panthers in six seasons, and took advantage of the open week last week to get healthy.
“The time off came at the perfect time,” Brooks said. “Every team has some minor injuries. You have a few players who need to rest some things. After such an emotional victory, it was good to step away and take a little time off.
“Now we are back at work, focused, and ready for the final five games of the regular season.”
The top four teams in the nine-team region will advance to the postseason. Entering Friday’s play, Noxapater (4-3, 4-0), East Oktibbeha, and Nanih Waiya (4-2, 3-0) are undefeated in region play.
The top two finishers will play host to a first-round North State playoff game Nov. 11.
“The first goal we set for this season was to host a playoff game,” Brooks said. “This school has never hosted a first-round playoff game, so that is the main goal for this team. The attitude is real good. Everybody is working hard. They know the task at hand. We just have to keep working hard to reach that next level.”
Against West Lowndes, Jamarquiz Page scored the only touchdown on a 6-yard return of a blocked punt in the final minutes of regulation. Kortland Petty led the Titans with 13 rushes for 87 yards.
Noxapater has defeated Weir (34-18), Sebastopol (36-12), Ethel (46-20), and West Lowndes (49-0) in region play.
Ethel (2-5, 0-4) at West Oktibbeha (4-2, 2-1)
The Timberwolves have found their second wind.
With a two-game win streak, West Oktibbeha is gearing up for the stretch run of the Class 1A, Region 3 race. That journey will begin at 7 p.m. Friday when it plays host to Ethel.
“We faced one of the toughest opponents (Nanih Waiya) in our region first,” West Oktibbeha coach Adam Lowrey said. “Even though they beat us pretty good (50-14 final), it showed us where we were and where we needed to be. We did have five starters out in the first half, but it gave us a good marker. We want to be the best team in Class 1A.
“If we are to get to that point, we have to learn how to play the game on that level.”
West Oktibbeha has bounced back from that loss by beating Weir (38-8) and Sebastopol (48-22). West Oktibbeha rushed for a season-high 220 yards against Sebastopol.
“We had 37 rushes and 36 passes in that game,” Lowrey said. “We have been looking for that type of balance from the very first week of the season. Credit goes to coach Kevin Cistrunk. He is the defensive coordinator and also handles the offensive line. The improvement we have made there has been incredible.”
The West Oktibbeha offensive line includes Johnny Chambers, Alex Chambers, Sharrod Stafford, Michael Graise, and Donald Henderson.
“That unit has come a long way,” Lowrey said. “There is no secret. We are a zone rushing team. We have to block right, block left, and be fundamentally sound. One misstep can be the difference between an incompletion and a touchdown.
“The good news is we have improved there, but we still are not where we can be from a blocking standpoint. Hopefully, we can continue to improve there and that will help our offense.”
Quarterback Von Smith was 19 of 36 for 250 yards and two touchdowns against Sebastopol. Dwight Quinn missed the Weir game, but returned for two touchdowns catches and 117 receiving yards against Sebastopol. Tiberias Lampkin had eight catches for 64 yards. He also had 13 rushes for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Johnathan Love had 13 rushes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Drake Powell had five receptions, a week after setting a school record with 17 catches against Weir.
“Von has had a nagging ankle injury,” Lowrey said. “He is just now getting fully healed. On the offensive side of the ball, everybody played a factor. Our receivers had a great night. The key was the blocking. The ability to run the ball and Von’s improved mobility added up to a big night.”
Lampkin also paced the Timberwolves with 16 total tackles, including four solos, one tackle for loss, and one sack. Playing both ways, Lampkin was involved in every snap.
Love added eight tackles, with two solos and one for loss. Graise had three tackles, two pass deflections, one hurry, one forced fumble, and two sacks. Stafford added five tackles and a fumble recovery, while Richard Richmond had 11 tackles. Powell had a 38-yard interception return and seven tackles.
Ethel had lost four straight in the region. The closest margin of defeat in those four games is 22 points. In its last outing, Ethel lost to Pelahatchie 35-0.
Parklane Academy (5-2, 1-1) at Starkville Academy (6-1, 2-1)
The Volunteers can take another huge step toward clinching a playoff berth at 7 p.m. Friday in a Class 3A, District 2 game at J.E. Logan Field in Starkville.
Starkville Academy reached the midway mark of its district schedule last week with a 34-26 Homecoming win against Copiah Academy. The victory helped Starkville Academy clinch a winning season for the first time since 2005.
“The victory was really big for us in district play,” Starkville Academy coach Jeff Terrill said. “While it did not sew up a playoff spot, it does make us 2-0 in Division II games. As you continue to win, the games do get bigger and bigger down the stretch.”
Two weeks ago, Starkville Academy saw its season-opening five-game win streak snapped in a 23-0 loss at Jackson Prep. It bounced back against Copiah Academy, even though a few big plays made the game close.
“Offensively, we had great game,” Terrill said. “For the most part, we were able to control the line of scrimmage and do what we wanted to do. We ran the ball with some authority. In the second half, it was the task of taking care of the football and protecting the lead.”
Ryan Mann had 29 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Mann has now four 100-yard rushing games this season. Quarterback Drew Pellum ran 13 times for 96 yards, including a rushing score and a passing score.
“Defensively, we simply allowed too many big plays,” Terrill said. “When you get into bigger games, big plays can swing the momentum. We also allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown. You simply can not do that if you really want to win the big games.”
Senior defensive tackle Angus Catchot led the defense with seven solo tackles. Terrill also credited Catchot’s performance from the nose guard position as being critical, as his blocking opened up “major holes” for Mann.
Parklane Academy is a Division I school, so while the game counts in the district standings, the teams aren’t vying for the same playoff spots.
“As you continue to win, the games get bigger and bigger each and every week,” Terrill said. “We are in the driver’s seat within our division. However, this is a district game, so it is as vitally important to them, as it is to us.”
Parklane Academy won its first three games. However, the Pioneers have alternated wins and losses the past four weeks.
After Parklane, Starkville Academy will play its final non-district game at Winston Academy. The regular season will close with district games against East Rankin (home) and at Presbyterian Christian.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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