West Point High School resumed a rigorous fall camp last week as the Green Wave took advantage of two full weeks to prepare for its next game.
After learning so much in a heart-breaking season-opening loss at No. 1 South Panola, West Point returns to the field tonight for a non-region matchup with Columbus.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Falcon Field. The game may be heard on WMSV-FM (91.1) and WNMQ-FM (103.1).
“We learned a lot about ourselves in the first game,” West Point senior nose guard Antonio Dent said. “We realized when we play to our full potential we can be a good team. The thing is working hard in practice and making sure we do all of the little things right.”
West Point played close to the perfect game defensively in its season opener. The Green Wave held the Tigers to four field goals and 248 yards of total offense.
“The defensive effort was tremendous,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “We have some new faces on that side of the ball and you saw some of the younger guys grow up during that game. Offensively, we have some things to clean up. Every mistake is correctable. We will keep working hard and hopefully get better each week.”
Last season, the season-opener was a matchup between two defending state champions. South Panola won easily, 37-17. While the rematch did not hold the same statewide luster, the contest was still a huge measuring stick for a West Point squad needing some confidence.
“They really embarrassed us last year,” West Point junior running back Aeris Williams said. “We spent the off-season getting ready for this game because that game last year did not show what type of team we had. Even in a loss, we showed that we belonged. I think we take a tremendous amount of confidence from that game. We can use that confidence the rest of the season.”
The revenge card could also be played tonight. Columbus won a wild affair last season, 35-27 in overtime. During an atypical 8-5 season, the Green Wave was plagued by turnovers in several of their losses. The same held true here as a pair of second-half turnovers doomed the West Point cause against Columbus.
“Columbus is a physical team, especially across the lines,” Chambless said. “I thought our line was really good in the second half. Hopefully, we can have some early offensive success. We struggled to put anything together until the fourth quarter against South Panola.”
Columbus opened the season with a 21-0 home win over Aberdeen. The Falcons were also open last week.
Indianola Academy (1-1) at Oak Hill Academy (2-0)
Without question, the area’s biggest surprise is in Clay County where Oak Hill Academy is off to a 2-0 start.
The Raiders will try to make it three straight when the Indianola Academy Colonels roll into town at 7 tonight.
“I think everybody might be a little surprised,” Oak Hill first-year coach Daniel Merchant said. “(When the season started) the only thing I knew for sure was the kids were going to give a lot of effort. I think they wanted to be pointed in the right direction.
“When you have a little of early success, it makes you want more. It also allows you to play with more confidence. I think the confidence we got from the first game carried over to the second one.”
The Raiders opened with a 13-6 win against Newton County Academy. Last week, Oak Hill Academy defeated Winston Academy 27-21. The win was huge since it was the opener in Class AA, District 2 play.
“The goal of every team is to make the playoffs,” Merchant said. “We began the season with that goal, along with everybody else. I don’t think some people saw that as realistic. The key is the coaches and players believing. Now, winning the first district game and beating a quality opponent means you can set that as a goal and people now believe in it.”
There are six teams in the district, with two of those making the postseason. . Two teams in the district are winless through two weeks. The door is beginning to open for an Oak Hill squad, which last made the playoffs after a seven-win season in 2006.
“We have a lot of young players on this team,” Merchant said. “Even though we only have a handful of seniors, a lot of credit goes to them. In the weight room and on the practice field, they have shown the type of attitude and effort we want around here.”
Indianola Academy opened the season with a 40-0 win over Bayou Academy, before falling 41-14 at Clarksdale Lee Academy Friday night.
“Indianola is a big football team, probably the biggest we have faced this season,” Merchant said. “It will be a physical football game. Against Winston, we did a great job of controlling the ball and controlling the clock. We will have to do that again Friday night.”
Indianola Academy won 39-14 last season in Indianola.
Calvary Christian (1-1) at Hebron Christian (2-0)
Hebron Christian has opened the season on a strong note.
The Eagles will risk a season-opening two-game win streak when they play host to Calvary Christian of Meridian at 7 tonight.
“We are off to a good start,” Hebron Christian first-year coach David Foster said. “A lot of credit goes to the kids for how hard they worked during the off-season to get ready for this year.”
Hebron Christian had 531 yards of total offense Friday night in a 48-20 victory at Victory Christian in its first game against eight-man competition this season. In the season opener, Hebron Christian beat Strider Academy 20-6 at home.
“We have some older guys so they have played together for a while. It starts with the line. They worked hard during the off-season and set an example. Offensively, we have some playmakers. Defensively, we try to be physical and we try to attack the football.”
In the victory over Victory Christian, both Taylor Coggins and Will-Corben Rogers had 100-yard rushing games. Rogers also threw for 173 yards and accounted for four touchdowns.
Calvary Christian (1-1) opened the season with a 24-0 win at Central Academy. Friday night, the Cougars lost 42-16 at home to Kemper Academy.
Hebron Christian won 42-8 last season in Meridian.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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