West Point set to take first step toward another title

The West Point High School football team finished the regular season on a high.

Now, the Green Wave will try to parlay that momentum into a third straight Class 5A state championship.

The quest for a state title will begin at 7 tonight with a first-round North State playoff contest against Neshoba Central at McCallister Field.

High-scoring Cathedral next for West Oktibbeha

A high-scoring shootout is possible when the West Oktibbeha County High School football team takes on Natchez Cathedral at 7 tonight in the opening round of the Class 1A South State playoffs.

Pickens County will face tough test against Brantley

One down, four to go.

The Pickens County High School football team will return to the gridiron at 7 tonight when it takes on Brantley in a second-round Alabama High School Activities Association Class 1A playoff game.

Starkville Academy to face Washington School for title

Starkville Academy senior fullback Ryan Mann admits neither he nor his teammates have played in a state championship football game.

However, the Volunteers have been dreaming about and preparing for this moment most of their lives.

EMCC football moves to No. 2

Even though it didn’t play, Tuesday was still a big day for the East Mississippi Community College football team.

The undefeated Lions moved to No. 2 in the latest NJCAA top 20 released Tuesday. EMCC (10-0) trails No. 1 Arizona Western College (10-0) by five points (137-132). Arizona Western secured four of seven first-place votes. EMCC had one, as did No. 3 Butler C.C. (9-1) and No. 4 Grand Rapids C.C. (10-0).

Columbus basketball sweeps West Lowndes

Columbus High School boys basketball coach Sammy Smith promises patience with a young squad.

For the Falcons, that patience may be needed early and often.

However, two lengthy scoring runs lifted the Falcons to a victory in their season opener Tuesday night. Columbus enjoyed a 16-1 first-half spurt and a 17-2 second-half spurt to dispatch West Lowndes 81-57.

EMCC beats Hinds, will play for state title

SCOOBA — The East Mississippi Community College football team isn’t necessarily all pass all the time.

No. 3 EMCC proved Saturday it can run the football, too.

Hamilton’s playoff run ends with loss to Hollandale Simmons

HAMILTON — The Hamilton High School football team spent most of its Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 2A first-round playoff game looking for one big offensive play. Unfortunately for the Lions, that play never came.

Starkville Academy set for second season

The second season is finally here for the Starkville Academy football team.

Starkville Academy will end a six-year absence from the postseason at 7 tonight when it plays host to Clarksdale Lee Academy in a first-round Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, Division II playoff game at J.E. Logan Field in Starkville.

New Hope will try to keep West Point from first place

While the West Point High School football team’s string of two straight Class 5A region championships is in jeopardy, second place is still important to the Green Wave.

West Point can salt away at least second place with a victory at 7 tonight against New Hope in a Class 5A, Region 1 game at West Point’s McCallister Field.

Coaches say JUCO changes will affect programs

Starkville Academy coach Jeff Terrill doesn’t totally understand the need for recent rule changes enacted by the Mississippi Association of Community College and Junior College presidents.

One thing Terrill knows is he doesn’t like the changes.

No. 3 EMCC will take on Hinds in playoff opener

East Mississippi Community College didn’t play many tight games in its undefeated run through regular season this year.

The tightest game No. 3 EMCC played was a 20-17 victory against Hinds C.C. on Sept. 8 in Raymond.

A lot has happened since the second week of the season.

Criticism growing about JUCO rule changes

Recent rule changes for athletics at Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College member institutions are roughly a month old.

However, the buzz hasn’t died down. Instead, it has gotten louder.

Timberwolves will fight for third

The West Oktibbeha County and Pelahatchie high school football teams will look to usher out the regular season on a positive note when they meet at 7 tonight in a Class 1A, Region 3 game in Maben.

The region’s playoff teams already have been decided. Nanih Waiya (8-2, 7-0 region) and Noxapater (7-3, 7-0) will play for first place tonight in Louisville. West Oktibbeha and Pelahatchie are two games behind those teams, and will play tonight for third and fourth in the region.

Aliceville High happy to be home

It is fun to be home again for the Aliceville High School football team.

Playing a home postseason game for the first time in five seasons, Aliceville will play host to Washington County at 7 p.m. Friday in an opening-round game of the Alabama High School Activities Association Class 3A playoffs.

Columbus playoff hopes dim after loss to Olive Branch

OLIVE BRANCH — It’s down to a one-game season for the Columbus High School football team.

Columbus fell into fourth place in Class 6A, Region 1 after a 43-14 loss to Olive Branch at Pool Field.

West Oktibbeha wants to get higher playoff seed

When the North State Class 1A high school football playoffs start in two weeks, West Oktibbeha County High will be on the guest list.

However, don’t tell the Timberwolves.

“We clinched a playoff berth last week,” West Oktibbeha coach Adam Lowrey said. “However, we haven’t talked to our boys yet about that. We have two really big regular-season games left and a lot to play for.”

EMCC football will try to make history Thursday

The No. 3 East Mississippi Community College football team will try Thursday to go where no other group of Lions has gone.

EMCC can complete its first undefeated regular season at 7 p.m. Thursday with a victory against Holmes C.C. in the final regular-season game for both teams at Ras Branch Field in Goodman. WFCA-FM (107.9) will broadcast the game locally.

Final week will determine final JUCO playoff team

The final week of the MACJC regular season will answer several remaining questions.

East Mississippi Community College, Hinds C.C., and Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. have secured spots in the state playoffs that will begin at 2 p.m. Nov. 5. Itawamba C.C., Northeast Mississippi C.C., and Northwest Mississippi C.C. are vying for the fourth and final playoff spot.

EMCC football clinches North Division title

SCOOBA — Some of the best football players to play at East Mississippi Community College were on campus for Homecoming and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this weekend.

It is a safe bet several of the Lions who saw action Saturday on the Sullivan-Windham Stadium playing surface will be back to be honored in years to come.