Heritage Academy wants to build on victory

Brad Butler hopes the roller coaster is on a permanent upward trajectory.

One week after scoring a season-high points in a victory against Magnolia Heights, Butler said the Heritage Academy football team had one of its best weeks of practices of the season in preparation for its game at 7 tonight against Oak Hill Academy (0-7).

West Lowndes wants to work back into region race

The road doesn’t get any easier for Anthony King and the West Lowndes High School football team.

Already saddled with back-to-back shutouts in region play, King and the Panthers go on the road at 7 tonight to face Pelahatchie in a Class 1A, Region game.

Noxubee County working toward better health

MACON — The Noxubee County High School football team is one week closer to its goal.

No, we’re not referring to the Oct. 20 “Y’all vs. Us” matchup against Louisville.

Elm Lake, Green Oaks will play in Arbre Cup

Jacob Gable never imagined so much pressure would accompany such a friendly endeavor

But the pressure Gable felt playing on the first playoff hole in the inaugural Arbre Cup is nothing compared to the responsibility he felt trying to find 16 players who were available and willing to play in the second annual version of the event.

Macdonald hopes new attitude suits MSU

STARKVILLE — Neil Macdonald hopes his players have found the right mind-set.

Caledonia tries to get focused, back on track

CALEDONIA — It’s time for an attitude adjustment.

Through three weeks, the Caledonia High School football team averaged more than 35 points a game in getting off to a 2-1 start.

A shutout of East Webster the next week lifted Caledonia to 3-1, but shutout losses to New Hope and to Ackerman followed. The losing streak grew to three last week after a 20-6 loss to Leake Central in the Class 4A, Region 4 opener.

Immanuel Christian wants to build momentum on Homecoming

Greg Watkins hopes Homecoming can provide a little momentum.

One week after a heartbreaking loss to Carroll Academy, Immanuel Christian (1-5) will play host to Potts Camp (3-3) at 7 p.m. Friday looking to get back on track for a pivotal three-game stretch to end the regular season.

Hamilton faces statement game against Eupora

HAMILTON — The numbers tell one story.

At 6-1, the Hamilton High School football team is one win away from its most victories in a season since it won seven games in 2005.

At 1-0 in Class 2A, Region 2, the Lions are one step closer to getting back to the postseason.

But even though Hamilton has a win against Class 4A Houston and nearly defeated Class 2A Kossuth, some wonder if the Lions are for real.

Central Academy will try to clinch title

MACON — All of the gray and indigestion has led to this point.

Central Academy football coach Ronnie Sciple has watched as the Vikings have wiggled themselves in and out of jams and found ways to win four of their seven games by two points.

Caledonia volleyball sweeps Aberdeen

CALEDONIA — Elisha Collins and Morgan Smith are making sure the future is now for the Caledonia High School volleyball team.

One season after losing a core group of seniors, Caledonia took its first step to advancing to the state tournament Tuesday by sweeping Aberdeen 3-0 in the first round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1 playoffs. Set scores were 25-10, 25-16, 25-18.

Spraggins matures into calming influence for West Point

WEST POINT — If DeQuinten Spraggins keeps playing at this level, he will have enough Reese’s peanut butter cups to last him the rest of the year.

Given Spraggins had to go to the dentist Monday to get a tooth pulled, that might not be the best course of action.

Caledonia volleyball set for playoff run

CALEDONIA — The Caledonia High School volleyball team is right where it wants to be.

Buoyed by an approach that has eschewed individual accolades in favor of team effort, Caledonia (16-7) will play host to Aberdeen at 6 tonight in the first round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1 tournament. The winner of that match will play the winner of the Lewisburg-St. Andrew’s match on Saturday at a time and place to be announced. The winner of that match will advance to the state tournamen

MSU women’s basketball will begin practice Tuesday

Sharon Fanning-Otis is ready.

After spending much of the past week on the road recruiting, Fanning-Otis was back in the state of Mississippi on Saturday, gearing up for the start of the Mississippi State women’s basketball season.

Heritage Academy explodes for big win

The roller coaster is back on the rise.

Judging by the way the Heritage Academy football team executed Friday night in a 56-21 victory against Magnolia Heights, there is no telling how high or how fast the Patriots will be able to go.

New Hope will honor ’81 team that beat Dupree, Philadelphia

The strategy was simple.

Still, it earned Rudy Pope a lot of flak.

But when you’re going up against someone as unstoppable as Philadelphia High School standout running back Marcus Dupree, it doesn’t hurt to try any method to try to gain an advantage.

Columbus wants to double success in region

Why not two?

That’s the mind-set Columbus High School football coach Tony Stanford hopes his players will take at 7:30 tonight when they take on Southaven in a Class 6A, Region 1 game.

New Hope’s McCrary matures in center of action

Anna McCrary never imagined being the center of attention.

After all, she has spent nearly all of her softball career as an outfielder and has grown quite comfortable impacting the game from right field.

But 2011 has been a transition year for McCrary.

Heritage Academy nearly out of time

The time is now.

The confidence and momentum the Heritage Academy football team gained from a season-opening come-from-behind victory against Lamar and an overtime win against Lowndes County neighbor Caledonia have vanished.

If the Patriots aren’t careful, their playoff hopes might disappear, too.

Caledonia wants to end shutout streak

CALEDONIA — Losing back-to-back games by shutout would normally be cause for concern

But Ricky Kendrick doesn’t get easily alarmed.

Victory Christian will take field with Sharp at QB

The changes continue for the Victory Christian football team.

Coach Chris Hamm would have loved another day to help freshman Anthony Sharp transition from wide receiver to quarterback, but he won’t have that luxury this week.