MACON — Let the local rivalries continue in Mississippi.
The Golden Triangle has some of the richest football rivalries in Mississippi, including one that dates back nearly a century and continues in 2023 for the 64th meeting all-time and 29th consecutive season.
West Point and Noxubee County are part of the close-knit community within the region, with many players, coaches and fans part of the same social or work circles off the field.
On the field, however, it’s all about the glory of the game and being the one on top at the end of the night.
“It’s a lot of fun and it means a lot,” West Point head coach Chris Chambless said. “All our staffs know each other. All the kids know each other. There’s good comradery around the game, good competition. After the game, that’s the first thing we tell them and the first thing they tell us; ‘We’re pulling for y’all.’ Our kids genuinely pull for each other.”
The 2023 edition of this rivalry is no different, with both the Green Wave (0-2) and Tigers (1-1) looking to propel themselves in the right direction as district play gets closer.
Coming into this game last season, West Point was 0-2, but a win against Noxubee County at home was the first of 11-straight wins that propelled the program to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A championship game.
Once again sitting at 0-2, the Green Wave are searching for that first win to possibly propel them to another lengthy win streak this season.
“There’s a reason we play schedules like this,” Chambless said. “We’ve been doing this my entire career here and that’s by design. You need to play tough teams to challenge yourself to do better. This year, that’s helped us tremendously with the team we’ve got.”
On the other side of the ball, Noxubee County’s goal on Friday is the same as its been the entire season: Control and win the line of scrimmage.
Against a run-heavy offense like West Point, if the Lions’ defensive line performs well and the team plays to its strengths, those factors could make for a long night for the Green Wave.
“We know they’re a physical football team,” Noxubee County head coach Teddy Young said. “They’re going to come in and run the ball, so we know we’re going to have to tackle well. … I feel like the Golden Triangle has some of the best football in the state and getting the opportunity to play all our local teams is great.”
The Tigers got that elusive first win under their belts last Friday against Columbus, a rain-soaked game that ended 28-16 in Columbus.
Noxubee plays in front of its home crowd for the first time this season and the first time since a quarterfinal win over Kossuth last November, and a win against the Green Wave would make Friday’s home opener that much sweeter.
“It’s a bigger opponent this week, but getting back on the winning side, that’s always a plus,” Young said. “… Last week, we did a good job of taking the ball away defensively and getting multiple people to the football. That’s the biggest thing we’re trying to build on.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion