No. 1 EMCC routs ICC

FULTON — East Mississippi Community College sophomore defensive back Quan Latham wasn’t signed to score touchdowns.

However, the former Columbus High School standout is making weekly trips to the end zone.

Starkville starts ‘second season’ vs. Columbus

STARKVILLE — The Starkville High School football team hopes its “second season” is just as good as the first one.

Starkville has opened the season with four victories to catapult into the No. 1 spot in the state’s polls. At 7 tonight, the “second season” starts when Starkville plays host to Columbus in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 2 opener for both teams at Yellow Jacket Stadium.

Hodges, top-ranked EMCC face arch-rival Itawamba Thursday night

SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Hodges flashes a big smile when asked about his offensive teammates.

Walters Column: Region play brings several exciting matchups

The stakes are raised this weekend as region play begins in the Mississippi High School Activities Association ranks for Classes 5A and 6A.

Ole Miss focusing on Memphis, not Alabama

The Ole Miss football team’s players and coaches aren’t gearing up for a potential top-10 matchup against Alabama on Oct. 4.

Coach Hugh Freeze insists his team is focused on its next game against Memphis at 6:30 p.m. Saturday (Fox Sports South) at Vaught-Hemingway.

Columbus unleashes rushing attack to run past Louisville

Football players at Columbus High School finally had some fun Friday night.

No. 1 EMCC keeps rolling, routs NEMCC

SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore quarterback Todd Mays feels like his team is getting better each week.

That is bad news for the teams on the second half of the EMCC schedule.

Top-ranked EMCC continued its path of destruction through the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges North Division on Thursday night with a 65-7 victory against Northeast Mississippi C.C. on a rain-plagued night at Sullivan-Windham Field.

Starkville wants to get rolling again

STARKVILLE — High school football coaches wrestle each season with how to deal with an open date.

Coaches must decide which days to practice, how long to practice, and whether to focus more on upcoming opponents or their teams.

For Starkville coach Jamie Mitchell, the open date posed even more mystery.

Lucas, top-ranked EMCC set to host Northeast

SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore linebacker Justin Lucas knows what a national championship defense looks like.

Walters column: Hamilton blends young with old for 3-1 start

When the football season began, Hamilton High School coach Ray Weeks knew what he would be getting out of Keshon Heard.

Noxubee County posts first shutout in win over Aberdeen

MACON — Noxubee County has built a state championship tradition based on its defense.

No. 1 EMCC rolls past Coahoma

CLARKSDALE — The East Mississippi Community College football program boasted perhaps the state’s best defense last season.

This season’s Lions are following that lead.

Top-ranked EMCC allowed 1 yard per rush, forced three turnovers, and blocked another punt for a score in an 83-7 rout of Coahoma C.C. in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges North Division opener for both teams Thursday night at James E. Miller Stadium.

New Hope’s Stillman commits to Northeast Mississippi

New Hope High School senior baseball player Josh Stillman found familiarity when he visited Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Walters column: Senior Williams relishes leadership role with youthful Bulldogs

Aberdeen High School senior Josh Williams feels like a proud father most Friday nights.

Burroughs, No. 1 EMCC look to continue North Division mastery at Coahoma

SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College freshman wide receiver Sammie Burroughs enjoys catching passes, scoring touchdowns, and winning games.

Freeze familiar with test Louisiana-Lafayette will present

After opening the season with neutral-site victories against Boise State and Vanderbilt, the No. 14 Ole Miss football team will play Louisiana-Lafayette at 3 p.m. Saturday (SEC Network) in its home opener at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze is familiar with Louisiana-Lafayette from his time as coach at Arkansas State in the Sun Belt Conference.

Defense delivers for No. 1 Starkville

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School senior running back Matt Fuller was willing to cut his defense a little slack Friday night.

“I told them in practice that this was a rivalry game and I wanted them to put up a zero,” Fuller said. “They

allowed three points, but that is good enough. They played well, and I still love them.”

No. 1 EMCC routs No. 3 Co-Lin

SCOOBA — DJ Law didn’t run track at Haines City (Fla.) High School.

Instead, Law said he liked to hurdle basketball opponents on the way to the goal.

Starkville will play first game as state’s No. 1 team

STARKVILLE — While the Starkville High School football team has felt little pressure in its first two games, the target on its back grew a little larger this week.

No. 1 EMCC gearing up for No. 3 Copiah-Lincoln

SCOOBA — In its four-year history, East Mississippi Community College’s Sullivan-Windham Field has drawn rave reviews as one of the state’s premier football facilities.

One group has enjoyed its visit there more than any other.