South Lamar prepares for season opener

MILLPORT, Ala. — South Lamar High School prepares for a new beginning on the gridiron.

Lamar County has plenty of experience back

VERNON, Ala. — The Lamar County High School football team took its first road trip well before its first game.

The Bulldogs conducted a week-long training camp at Tombigbee State Park in Tupelo. A later start date for the school calendar allowed the team to spend the week in seclusion and to work on teamwork, chemistry, and fundamentals.

Moody hopes Aliceville can grow this season

ALICEVILLE, Ala. — Charles Moody admits he grew a lot in his first season as Aliceville High School football coach.

Now, Moody hopes the Yellow Jackets will grow with him.

Moody’s second edition will open the season at 7 p.m. Thursday against Gordo High.

MSU soccer improves to 3-0

STARKVILLE — A youth movement is under way for the Mississippi State University women’s soccer team.

Coach Neil Macdonald had no problems turning several of his talented freshmen loose this weekend at the Bulldog Classic. The result was just what he wanted.

BOUNCING BACK: PATRIOTS MAKE STATEMENT: Heritage Academy comes up strong in rivalry game

STARKVILLE — Heritage Academy senior football player Taylor Fields remembers not too fondly his junior year game against arch-rival Starkville Academy.

Oak Hill Academy will try to start winning streak

The Oak Hill Academy football team snapped a 12-game losing streak that dated back to the 2010 season Friday night in a season-opening 13-6 win at Newton County Academy.

Now, the Raiders want to start a winning streak.

West Oktibbeha starts on offensive high note

After the opening week of the prep football season, one thing is clear.

Offense picks up for Heritage Academy

STARKVILLE — While steadily improving, Heritage Academy had been looking for that break-out game in fast-pitch softball.

WALK-OFF WINNER: New Hope softball sweeps Grenada

New Hope High School won its slow-pitch softball game Tuesday night on a walk-off walk.

Four straight hits and a walk led to two runs and a 6-5 victory for the Lady Trojans against Grenada.

Former Starkville High standout Johnson set to lead EMCC

SCOOBA — Quez Johnson always had dreams of playing football at the highest level.

While it has taken much longer than he anticipated, the dream is still alive. Fully recovered from a serious shoulder injury, the former Starkville High School standout will be back in the limelight this fall as quarterback for East Mississippi Community College, the nation’s top-ranked junior college football team.

Last-second field goal helps South Panola edge West Point

BATESVILLE — West Point High School senior defensive back Johnathan Patterson likes to make plays.

Patterson makes big plays and makes small plays. His attention to detail is one of the reasons why West Point’s defense should place it in position to contend for this season’s Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A state championship.

Two quarters not enough for Heritage Academy

Heritage Academy first-year football coach Barrett Donahoe is an intense person.

If the Patriots weren’t already under that impression, they will be Monday in the film room and on the practice field.

Heritage Academy drops football season opener

New Heritage Academy football coach Barrett Donahoe got the type of start he wanted Friday night.

Heritage Academy tops Oak Hill in fast-pitch softball

WEST POINT — Heritage Academy senior catcher Caitlin McLain and junior pitcher Madison Sears are now beginning to find a rhythm.

Starkville Academy has something to prove in 2012

Starkville Academy football coach Jeff Terrill prefers to play a challenging season opener.

Starkville Academy will do that at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it travels to Ridgeland to take on St. Andrew’s High School.

West Point gearing up for game at South Panola

West Point High School football coach Chris Chambless admits preseason scrimmages and jamborees aren’t high on his to-do list.

Pargo feels chemistry strong at ICC

FULTON — Itawamba Community College football coach Jon Williams kicks off his third season two weeks from tonight when ICC plays at East Central C.C.

Former Aberdeen High School standout Rashad Pargo has been with Williams for every step of his maiden voyage as a junior college head coach.

West Lowndes hangs tough, falls to Starkville

For West Lowndes High School, the scoreboard did not reflect victory Tuesday night.

West Point shows pop in practice

Signs that West Point High School and Philadelphia High School were playing a practice football game were apparent early Saturday.

Former EMCC star Autry ready for challenge at MSU

STARKVILLE — Denico Autry remembers playing backyard football when he was in third grade.