Starkville Academy has sights set on Canton

STARKVILLE — Chase Nicholson senses something is hanging over the Starkville Academy football team.

As much as he tries to ignore it, Nicholson admits it is too big to dismiss. But Starkville Academy’s game against archrival Heritage Academy on Friday, Oct. 13, won’t have the same significance if his team doesn’t take care of its business at 7 tonight when it goes on the road to take on Canton Academy in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 game.

Easy wins won’t alter West Point’s focus

WEST POINT — Chris Chambless has been a part of his fair share of blowouts through the years.

A year ago, the West Point High School football team won 10 games by three touchdowns or more en route to a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State title.

Shared enthusiasm drives Oak Hill Academy’s streak

WEST POINT — Shared enthusiasm and spirit has the Oak Hill Academy in position to create special memories.

Discipline will be focus for Noxubee County

MACON — Eight will be the magic number for Tyrone Shorter on Friday night.

The Noxubee County High School football coach will be able to live with 10, as long as the penalties committed by his team aren’t one of lack of concentration or focus.

Rogers’ four interceptions fuel Heritage Academy victory

The conversation — if you want to call it that — didn’t last long.

Heritage Academy football coach Sean Harrison remembers his “talk” with his junior going something like this: “Lex, I need you to do more to help the team this season.” Harrison’s recalls Rogers saying “yes sir” and not quibbling about where he was going to play, how many minutes he was going to get, or if the new work would take away from his duties as the team’s kicker and punter.

Holmes looks comfortable in MSU’s first practice

STARKVILLE — Jazzmun Holmes didn’t intend to make a statement Sunday afternoon.

Surrounded by a sea of maroon, white, and black sneakers, the Mississippi State junior stood out in her pair of pink kicks. Holmes and former MSU standout Ketara Chapel, who was wearing a black practice jersey with “The Guys” on it, was the only other player on the court decked out in the sneakers that were a touch hotter than the regular shade of pink.

Opportunistic Craven scores first touchdown in rout

WEST POINT — For the record, Jaden Craven doesn’t look fat.

Unlike other “hogs” who play in the trenches up front, Craven’s jersey fits well and covers his stomach. His pants complete a uniform that suits the fireplug of a guard, who is listed at 5-foot-9, 220 pounds, very well.

VCA’s Howell wins state championship in Alabama

Ethan Howell didn’t know what to expect Monday as he traveled to the Alabama Christian Athletic Association State Golf Championship.

Howell, a junior at Victory Christian Academy in Columbus, had plenty of time to think on the three-plus hour drive, although he didn’t have much to go on. He had never played the course at Quail Creek Resort in Hartselle, Alabama, and he never had walked a round of 18 holes.

Logan, Trolio qualify for four-ball event in Florida

Hunter Logan and Cohen Trolio take their golf seriously.

As two of the most accomplished junior players in the state of Mississippi, Logan and Trolio have walked the best courses and competed against the toughest competitors.

That’s why it didn’t faze Logan or Trolio that they were the only juniors competing Thursday in the United States Golf Association (USGA) Men’s Four-Ball Qualifier at Laurel Country Club.

MSU women face bigger bull’s eye entering season

Nearly everything has worked out like Vic Schaefer thought it would.

When he was hired to replace Sharon Fanning-Otis as Mississippi State’s women’s basketball coach in March 2012, Schaefer talked about building a program. He discussed the initial “sense” he and his wife, Holly, had that there was a hunger on campus and in the state to create a title contender in a sport that hadn’t attracted much attention or been consistently competitive in the Southeastern Conference.

Johnson ready to play bigger role for MSU women

STARKVILLE — Roshunda Johnson is more than ready.

After a change of scenery and plenty of obstacles to overcome, Johnson will be primed and prepared at 2 p.m. today to kick off her final collegiate season when the Mississippi State women’s basketball team holds its first practice of the 2017-18 campaign.

Murphy feeling more comfortable at QB lading West Point’s offense

WEST POINT — Marcus Murphy knows he runs the ball well.

Heritage Academy will play host to Leake Academy in district opener

It is finally here.

Earlier in the season, Heritage Academy football coach Sean Harrison looked ahead to week seven and hoped to have everything in place for his team to hit its stride.

New Hope set to take on Louisville in region opener

Kris Pickle had his mad scientist’s hat on early Monday afternoon.

The objective was simple: Come up with some creative offensive options for a New Hope High School football team still at less than 100 percent health to use against Louisville at 7 p.m. Friday in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) opener for both teams.

Confidence level rising for Oak Hill Academy

WEST POINT — The Oak Hill Academy football team’s confidence continues to rise.

Starkville Academy riding dominant defense into district play

STARKVILLE — Chase Nicholson isn’t concerned about a shutout streak.

Shorter wants to see Tigers get tougher

MACON — You can hear the frustration in Tyrone Shorter’s voice.

Shorter has seen nearly everything in his 20 years with the Noxubee County High School football program. He has seen injuries ravage his team early in the season only to have the Tigers emerge in the second half to win a state championship. Shorter also has seen plenty of offensive wizardry and defense dominance in his time as assistant coach/defensive coordinator and now as head coach.

New Hope working back to better health

Kris Pickle envisions a time in the not too distant future that his New Hope High School football team will be 100 percent healthy.

While the Trojans slowly move forward to get all of their starters back in the lineup, other players are emerging to create depth Pickle believes will help the team make a push to the postseason.

Battle of reigning champs set when West Point faces Lafayette

WEST POINT — The preparation doesn’t change for the West Point High School football program.

Oak Hill Academy wants to build toughness after second district win

WEST POINT — Chris Craven isn’t getting comfortable.

The Oak Hill Academy football team’s third-year head coach knows a team’s fortunes can change with one injury, so he doesn’t plan to let his players get overconfident despite two strong outings to open Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AA, District 1 play.