The rivalry is back.
West Point High School and Starkville High School meet in a non-region prep football game Friday night.
If foreshadowing is in effect, the teams could meet twice, as they did in the 2011 regular season and postseason.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Starkville.
“The rivalry went away for three or four years, but it is certainly back,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “I am glad to see it back. These are the types of games that players love to play and coaches love to coach.”
Both teams return to the gridiron, fresh off their first victories of the season. West Point won 26-19 at Columbus last Friday night, while Starkville won 28-0 at Tupelo.
“I thought we played well (against Columbus),” Chambless said. “Even though we have several players back from last season, we are new in some spots. This is only Tez Lane’s third game and fourth or fifth week of practice at quarterback. What he does is make plays. He is a skilled athlete and a team leader. Still, he is learning a new position.
“When you are the quarterback, you have a lot of responsibility. Tez is a smart, tough kid, who can handle that responsibility. Still, it is new to him.”
The Green Wave battled back from a 12-0 deficit against the Falcons. In a similar fashion in its season opener, West Point battled back from a 9-2 deficit for a fourth-quarter lead before falling 12-10 at South Panola.
“What we know so far about this team is they have a tremendous amount of heart and determination,” Chambless said. “They take pride in wearing this uniform.
“They have given a tremendous amount of effort in the off-season, in the weight room, on the practice field and in the games. True championship teams practice as hard as they play.”
Starkville has also been working its way through some newness at the quarterback position. Sophomore Caleb Wilson drew his second start against Tupelo.
Wilson threw for three touchdowns in the victory over Tupelo. His insertion into the lineup came after an injury to starter Gabe Myles in the season-opening loss to Noxubee County.
Either one or both may see playing time at quarterback Friday night.
“Well as coaches you prepare for two quarterbacks,” Chambless said. “You prepare for someone who can make plays at that position, because that is all (Starkville coach) Jamie (Miller) has back there — playmakers.”
Last season, West Point won the regular season meeting, 33-12. Starkville returned the favor with 20-14 win in the second round of the north state playoffs.
During its state championship run in 2010, West Point’s only loss was a 21-20 regular-season setback to Starkville.
“We have played some great games the last couple of years,” Chambless said. “It sounds so simple, but whoever protects the ball will win. We know what they are going to do. They know what we are going to do.
“The fans will get into it and it will be a fun atmosphere.
“Fortunately, the game does not count in the playoff chase. However, you play this game knowing the odds are high you will see them again.”
Against Columbus, West Point ran for 280 yards and did not throw a pass.
Behind the first two of four touchdowns by Aeris Williams, the Green Wave battled back for a 14-12 halftime lead.
Williams ran for 156 yards and was joined high on the rushing charts by Lane, who added 128 yards.
“Not to reveal anything but we plan to run the ball, block for the run and play defense,” Chambless said with a laugh.
“Seriously though we have made a lot of strides on offense since the beginning of the year. I think we will continue to get better.”
Hebron Christian (3-0)
at Clinton Christian (2-1)
Hebron Christian looks for its third victory when the Eagles takes on Clinton Christian.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. today at Robinson-Hale Stadium on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton.
“I think the kids are really excited,” Hebron Christian coach David Foster said. “You don’t have an opportunity to play a lot of high school games in a college stadium. So this will be unique and fun.”
Hebron Christian improved to 3-0 with last Friday’s 46-6 win over Calvary Christian.
In back-to-back 8-man victories, the Eagles have allowed 26 total points.
“I think people have undervalued our defense,” Foster said. “The 8-man game is offensive football. What we have been able to do the last two weeks on the defensive side of things is amazing.
“The hardest thing is defending the whole field, because we still play on regulation size fields.”
Clinton Christian is coming off a 44-0 win over The Veritas and earlier beat Victory Christian, 68-42.
“Anytime, you score 60 points in a game you get our attention,” Foster said.
Hebron Christian won last season’s meeting, 36-16.
Oak Hill Academy (2-1)
at Manchester Academy (1-2)
Oak Hill Academy looks for a 2-0 start in Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class 2A, District 2 play with a road trip to Manchester Academy.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Yazoo City.
“We built some confidence with the two wins early,” Oak Hill coach Daniel Merchant said. “I look forward to seeing how the kids respond to a loss. The attitude has been real good and I expect that to continue.”
Oak Hill saw its modest win-streak snapped with a 36-20 loss to Indianola Academy at home last Friday night.
The Raiders finished with 209 yards of total offense and tried to fight back valiantly from a 22-6 halftime deficit.
“You had to like the belief that you can come back and win,” Merchant said. “I am not sure the kids would have believed for four quarters like that last year. When you see that attitude, you know that you have made strides as a team.”
The top two teams in the district advance to the playoffs. Thus, the Raiders can take a huge step forward with a win Friday night. Of the six teams in the district, three have losing records and one is winless.
After opening with a 27-0 win over Hillcrest Christian, Manchester Academy has dropped back-to-back decisions to Tri-County Academy (12-9) and Sylva Bay Academy (14-6).
Meanwhile, Oak Hill is back on the road for the first time since its season-opening win over Newton County Academy.
“We have a long trip ahead but I think the kids are really to get back out there and play a game,” Merchant said. “The best thing you can do after a loss is put it behind you.”
Manchester Academy won last season’s meeting, 37-0.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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