Heritage Academy’s Hollivay set to make college visits

The paring has been done.

The phone calls, texts, and posts to her Facebook page have slowed to a reasonable rate.

Now all Rachel Hollivay has to do is pick a college.

EMCC offensive line will have local flavor

SCOOBA — The East Mississippi Community College offensive line will have a decidedly local flavor at 7 tonight when the Lions play host to Mississippi Gulf Coast at the new Sullivan-Windham Field.

Ole Miss’ Ronaldi wants to continue fast start

Alley Ronaldi would rather forget the 2010 season.

Even though the Columbus resident earned a 4.0 grade-point average in the fall, she struggled on the field for the University of Mississippi women’s soccer team.

Plenty of competition for QB at EMCC

SCOOBA — The East Mississippi Community College football team appears to have the answer at quarterback this season for any defense.

Coach Buddy Stephens’ biggest dilemma could be how he plans to utilize the skills of Bo Wallace, Termarcus Conner, and Jaquez Johnson. The EMCC coach will get his first chance to experiment with quarterbacks at 7 p.m. Thursday when No. 16 EMCC plays host to defending state champion and No. 2 Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. at new Sullivan-Windham Field.

Sanders eager to contribute for Ole Miss

OXFORD — Vincent Sanders is ready to make an impact.

With the University of Mississippi football team’s season opener against BYU looming at 3:45 p.m. Saturday (ESPN), Sanders appears primed to get the first chance to make a play. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is listed behind freshman Donte Moncrief at split end. Ja-Mes Logan or Nickolas Brassel, Tobias Singleton, or Terrell Grant are listed at flanker.

Pickens County’s Hall has record-setting night

REFORM, Ala. — De’Marko Hall didn’t have an illusions of grandeur Friday night.

But the Pickens County High School standout believed he could find a way to help the Tornadoes upset preseason No. 2 American Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa, Ala., despite being at less than 100 percent and missing a preseason scrimmage because of a left shoulder injury.

Locals will play key roles for ICC football

FULTON — The foundation has been laid.

Jon Williams knows the next step is to put players in the right positions so they can make plays.

Stephens feels EMCC has pieces

Buddy Stephens is apprehensive, curious, and confident all at the same time.

If that sounds difficult, the East Mississippi Community College football coach will tell you it isn’t.

Pellum, Starkville Academy defeat Heritage Academy

Drew Pellum showed Friday night that the Starkville Academy football team is more than just a fullback and dive-driven team.

The junior quarterback rushed for 95 yards and three touchdowns to lead Starkville Academy to a 33-7 victory against Heritage Academy at C.L. Mitchell Field.

Heritage, Starkville building programs back into contenders

STARKVILLE — The Heritage Academy and Starkville Academy football programs are working their way back to 2005.

West Lowndes, Caledonia vie for 2-0 start

CALEDONIA — Dare to stop the Confederates.

Ricky Kendrick doesn’t hide the fact that his Caledonia High School football team is going to run the football. To Kendrick, it comes down to simple math: Get 3.3 yards per carry and hold on to the football and the Confederates will be able to dictate the tempo of the game.

Richardson does it all for Starkville High volleyball

STARKVILLE — Wheeler Richardson isn’t one to stand in one spot on a volleyball court.

If you aren’t watching the ball, you better be ready to move because the Starkville High School senior will run through you to keep it from hitting the floor.

Central Academy will try to be more consistent

MACON — You’ll have to excuse Ronnie Sciple if he prefers to discuss how his team finished its season opener.

The Central Academy football coach didn’t care very much for the first three quarters of the Vikings’ game against Calvary Christian last week.

Allen energizes Alabama volleyball

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ed Allen’s energy is infectious.

But after only a few minutes with the new University of Alabama volleyball coach it’s very easy to get pumped up about the chances for the sport to flourish at the school.

Hamilton will try to build on opening win

HAMILTON — Ray Weeks has a valuable lesson for his Hamilton High School football team: One week is just a start.

Aberdeen’s Buchanan ready to take bigger role for ICC

FULTON –Rashad Pargo knows the pecking order.

After using his first season at Itawamba Community College to redshirt, Pargo, a former standout at Aberdeen High School, was able to watch his former AHS teammate make an impact with the Indians as a freshman.

West Point’s Cox hopes to play key role on EMCC defense

SCOOBA — Justin Cox is ready to take on a different role.

After two years of playing quarterback and being the one everyone looked to to set the tone, the former West Point High School standout and Mississippi State signee has shifted his focus to defense.

Volunteers’ Runnels shines in ‘sixth-man’ role

STARKVILLE — Colby Runnels understands now the word “starter” is what he makes of it.

Fast-pitch softball teams bounce back after Exposure Tournament

Fresh off a chance to showcase their skills for state college coaches, five area Mississippi Association of Independent Schools fast-pitch softball teams were back in action Monday.

Heritage Academy lost to Washington School 15-0 in four innings, Starkville Academy lost to Jackson Prep 1-0, Oak Hill Academy lost to Manchester Academy 11-7, and Central Academy beat Calhoun Academy 8-7, and Hebron Christian lost to Winona Christian 3-0.

West Point learns another lesson in loss to South Panola

WEST POINT — Another lesson learned.

The West Point High School football typically doesn’t suffer back-to-back losses and then learn from the mistakes in those setbacks.