Like father, like son: Bully XX accepts the mantle

With the transfer of the fabled leather harness from father to son during pregame festivities Sept. 5 at Davis-Wade Stadium, Mississippi State University’s new bulldog mascot Champ stepped into a role he was born to assume.

Calling all artists to ‘wear it well’

The Columbus Art Council’s annual Starving Artist Show will be held Nov. 8 through the month of December at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. This popular, eclectic show features a compilation of artwork from area artists and is an opportunity for non-resident artists of the RAC to showcase their work.

Burnett picks up slack to lead Aberdeen volleyball team past Caledonia

ABERDEEN — With go-to player Jameika Hoskins slowed by a knee injury, senior Sommer Burnett picked up the slack and led the host Aberdeen High School volleyball team to a 3-1 win against Caledonia here Thursday evening.

Burnett, who also is the sister of Aberdeen High coach Marquis Burnett, turned in an outstanding performance in a matchup of unbeaten (4-0) division rivals.

Mackey passes EMCC past Holmes in a rout

SCOOBA — Randall Mackey completed 28 of 39 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns Thursday night to lead the No. 2 East Mississippi Community College football team to a 41-14 victory against Holmes C.C. at Sullivan-Windham Field.

The win helped EMCC improve to 3-0 and helped set up a matchup against defending MACJC state champion and No. 11 nationally ranked Gulf Coast C.C. at 7 p.m. Thursday.

“We played a sloppy game,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “Whether it was the weather or just our playing style, we have to work on perfecting our plays.”

Carr sparks West Point’s victory against Columbus

WEST POINT — The West Point High School football team had two weeks to think about letting its opening-week game against Shannon slip away in the final minute.

The Green Wave had a bye in week two, used the time to correct their mistakes, and went out Friday and got back on track with a 24-6 victory against Columbus.

West Lowndes gets better of Caledonia

CALEDONIA — The West Lowndes High School football team capitalized on three first-half turnovers to build a big halftime lead en route to a 34-9 victory Friday night.

Meridian does enough to beat Starkville

STARKVILLE — It was not the prototypical game for the defending state champion Meridian Wildcats, but they’ll take a victory anytime they can get one.

Despite 11 penalties and four turnovers, the Wildcats did enough to defeat the Starkville Yellow Jackets 27-10 on Friday night.

Ellis has career night for Victory Christian

When the lights went up Friday, Landon Ellis never expected he would double his personal touchdown record.

But Ellis did just that as he scored six touchdowns to lead the Victory Christian football team to a 69-16 victory against New Life Academy.

Late score lifts Hebron Christian

PHEBA — The homestanding Hebron Christian Eagles picked up their first win of the season Friday night with a 35-30 victory against the West Memphis Black Knights.

Quitman surprises Louisville

QUITMAN — All eyes were on Markese Triplett on Friday night.

Many believed the Louisville High School senior wide receiver would be the playmaker to watch against Quitman High.

Perhaps a couple of those eyes should have been watching speedy Quitman junior wideout Dyar Ealie.

Library presents “Tennessee Williams: Columbus Native, American Master” as part of Tribute

For the third year in a row, the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library will present an exhibit in conjunction with the Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes. The exhibit, titled “Tennessee Williams: Columbus Native, American Master,” displays an eclectic assortment of posters, playbills, and promotional materials, some of which are even signed by some of the most accomplished and renowned legends of the stage and screen. The exhibit will run only through the month of September.

Betty Stone: What have we come to?

Recently I was talking with a friend from Jackson who told me she was keeping her pre-school grandson. He had taken her cell phone when he went outside to play. When she got after him about it, he protested that he had to have it in order to call for help if he got kidnapped.

Adele Elliott: 09-09-09

The ninth day, of the ninth month, of the ninth year of the century. This cosmic repetition makes an ordinary Wednesday seem somehow quite important. It is as if the calendar is telling us something of great significance. “Pay attention!” it says. “I am repeating this for a reason.”

Mackey directs EMCC past Jones in its home opener

SCOOBA –– Preseason All-America quarterback Randall Mackey passed for two touchdowns and rushed for 77 yards to lead the No. 6 East Mississippi Community College Lions past Jones Community College 28-17 in its home opener Thursday at Sullivan-Windham Field.

Mackey wasted no time moving the football down the field on the Lions’ first possession. Taking the ball on its 27, EMCC mixed two rushing plays by Mackey and passes of 10 and 14 yards to T.J. Ballou and Marcus McQuarley, respectively.

Wide receiver Bill Franks hauled in a 36-yard pass to give the Lions’ a 6-0 lead with barely two minutes elapsed into the contest. Brett Spencer split the uprights for the extra point and a 7-0 lead.

Fishing in Mississippi is as good as anywhere

Mississippi has some of the best fishing waters anywhere in the South.

If you ask most weekend anglers, they stick with the water areas close to home.

The fact is an angler can plan a day trip and fish most any body of water Mississippi offers.

Returns help Central Academy beat Immanuel Christian

STEENS — Immanuel Christian football coach Shawn Gates said he noticed some positives in Friday night’s 36-22 loss to the Central Academy Vikings.

The biggest positive, Gates said, is sophomore running back Michael Tate.

“There was a lot of courage out of Michael Tate,” he said. “When he was hurt he stepped it up and went back in.”

Tate, who scored one touchdown, was instrumental in setting up all three of the Rams’ scores.

Bell, O’Briant propel East Webster past West Oktibbeha

MABEN — Timakis Bell had 66 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Demetrius Obriant added 16 yards with two touchdowns Friday night to help the East Webster High School football team defeat West Oktibbeha 40-0.

East Webster’s defense sparked the victory. The Wolverines had four interceptions — two by Miguel Graham and one each by Obriant, and Ryan Johnson.

Brennan Sparks and Obriant also helped East Webster recover two fumbles to give it excellent field position.

Oak Hill’s rally comes up short in loss to Pillow Academy

GREENWOOD –– The Oak Hill Academy Raiders rallied in the second half, but lost to Pillow Academy 48-21 on Friday night.

Oak Hill Academy outscored Pillow Academy 21-7 in the second half after trailing 41-0 at halftime.

Quarterback Davis Clayton got the Raiders (0-2) on the scoreboard in the third quarter when he scored on a 10-yard run.

Jake Orman scored twice for the Raiders in the final quarter on runs of 12 and 15 yards.

Pickens County’s Marchant gets first win as a head coach

REFORM, Ala. –– The Pickens County Tornadoes made a winner of Scott Marchant in his debut as head coach Friday night by doubling up Greensboro 48-24.

The victory helped Pickens County atone for a 26-21 loss to Greensboro in its season opener last season.

“It’s thrilling,” Marchant said of his getting his first win as a head coach. “It’s good to get that first one out of the way. I feel blessed. We’ve got a lot of good kids, a lot of good football players, and a great football staff helping me. I’m glad I could be a part of it.”

Love scores five touchdowns to lead Aberdeen to victory

ABERDEEN — Valentine’s Day is still months away, but Ray Brooks’ defense left Lester Miley Stadium with ‘Love’ on their minds.

Aberdeen senior running back Jamerson Love accumulated 316 all-purpose yards and scored five touchdowns Friday night in the Bulldogs’ 52-14 blowout.

“I knew the team was depending on me, so I just put them on my back,” Love said. “I just try to practice hard and play hard. That’s the best game I have ever had since I’ve played at Aberdeen High School.”

Love, a 5-foot-11, 175-pounder, picked up 238 yards on 16 carries and four touchdowns. He caught a pair of passes for 78 yards and another score.