As we officially hit the halfway point of the prep football season, it is safe to say this season will be remembered for years to come.
We have already had some dramatic finishes and incredible individual efforts.
There are some things we thought we would see — such as success at Starkville High School and Starkville Academy. There are also some things that we didn’t we see — such as Hamilton being winless and Noxubee County on a four-game losing streak.
Here are some things that stand out from the first half of the season:
1. Columbus is working wonders on the defensive side of the ball.
The area’s biggest win last week took place in Class 6A, Region 1 action where Columbus rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to edge DeSoto Central, 23-21.
The Falcons have turned into one of the better defensive units in Class 6A. Columbus has size, speed and athleticism on that side of the ball. An offseason change to a new alignment has proven a prudent move.
Columbus is still giving up the big play too often. However, the unit is keeping play in the middle of the field and forcing turnovers.
After allowing three first-half touchdowns to DeSoto Central’s Alan Lamar Friday night, the Falcons made Lamar MIA in the second half, allowing the home team to rally.
Columbus has shown a great knack for halftime adjustments. That should bode well for it down the stretch.
2. Ricky Woods has found a comfort level coaching Starkville.
While it may have taken a little longer than expected, Starkville’s new coach and veteran players are now clicking.
Starkville opened Class 6A, Region 2 play with a 49-7 rout of Callaway Friday night in Jackson. Woods was hired in May so he missed spring practice with his new team. It has taken a while for him to grasp his personnel and to put all the pieces in the right place.
However, the pieces are all very good and it appears the team has a chance to blow through the region for a second straight series. Madison Central and Clinton should prove the chief competition.
Woods was hired to get this senior-heavy Starkville team to the state championship game.
The ability of this to consistently play better each week shows us that Woods’ squad is on the right track.
3. West Point has a true star in the making in the form of sophomore quarterback Marcus Murphy.
West Point lost its huge Class 5A, Region 1 showdown at Oxford, 50-28 Friday night. The Chargers built a huge first-half lead and never looked back.
That being said, one should not lose the fact that West Point gained 446 yards of total offense, including 206 rushing yards by Murphy. Since he is a sophomore and a first-year starter at quarterback, it stands to reason that Murphy has lots of room to grow at the quarterback position. Most of the passing load is actually shouldered by junior Demarrio Edwards in the two-quarterback system.
What can not be denied is that Murphy may be the fastest player in the coverage area. His five-game rushing output of 628 yards is insane for a sophomore.
If we overlook the tough night in the Lafayette County, West Point had shown signs of playing some outstanding defense this season. Look for that pattern to continue as the Green Wave moves into the heart of the region schedule.
West Point will continue to grow. Murphy will, too.
4. Noxubee County is having a struggle.
One would have to go back to 2006 to find the last four-game losing streak for Noxubee County. That squad finished 4-5.
This season’s team fell to 2-4 with its fourth straight loss, a 29-28 overtime decision to Kemper County.
Traditional powers have losing streaks. However, most of these squads go through such a downturn when they are rebuilding and playing a bunch of sophomores. Instead, Noxubee County is a senior-laden team struggling through some injuries and looking for answers.
Noxubee County always plays the state’s most difficult non-region schedule. To see the team free-fall through that portion of the schedule should never come as a major surprise. Noxubee County typically plays higher-class opponents, as well as defending North State champions.
Noxubee County has totally dominated Class 4A, Region 4 play over the years. However, the region appears to be the best it has been in several years. The fifth-place team in this region will be a good team left out of the playoffs.
It will be interesting to see if Noxubee County can get everything back together. This is a struggle that really no one could have expected.
5. West Lowndes could be a contender for a region championship.
The area’s biggest surprise is quickly brewing on the outskirts of Lowndes County.
West Lowndes won its fourth straight game with a 26-21 home win over Falkner in Class 1A, Region 1 play. The Panthers are doing with a lot of young pups in the lineup.
Needless to say the new region is fitting well with the Panthers.
West Lowndes and Smithville are both 3-0 in region play. Coffeeville is next at 2-0.
West Lowndes will look for its fifth straight Friday against Heritage Academy. The region schedule then resumes and will only grow more difficult.
However, West Lowndes is playing with confidence. The Panthers can zero in on a postseason bid early. A first-round home playoff game is also a possibility.
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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