Week 1 opened up for many of the area teams, and Heritage Academy and Noxubee County both started off the 2025 season with victories. West Lowndes and Caledonia both were dealt losses thanks to some key late turnovers.
Heritage Academy 41, Winston Academy 14
The Patriots had no issue in putting away Winston Academy early as they took a 35-0 lead to halftime and coasted the rest of the way for the season-opening victory.
Heritage led 14-0 heading into the second quarter, 35-0 at halftime and only gave up two scores to finish the game, one in the third quarter and one in the fourth. The Patriots got back into the end zone for their final score in the fourth quarter.
“The guys played hard, so that was really good for us,” said head coach Tobias Smith. “That’s one thing that we teach and try to drive home to the guys that, ‘As long as you are playing hard, it can cover up for some of the mistakes you might’ve had.’ On offense, defense and special teams, we had guys giving it all. … We had 11 guys flying to the football, so that paid dividends for us.”
Sophomore quarterback Joshua Tate was tabbed with the start on Friday, and “played a really good game.”
“The players kind of rallied around him, and he’s been taking steps at being the starter for the last couple weeks or so,” Smith said. “So, just to see him where he is now from where we started this has been great and the boys have kind of embraced him as the starter.”
Heritage got scores from running and throwing the ball, but also returned an interception for a score and even returned a punt for a score, but it was called back.
“It was good to get multiple guys into the end zone in multiple ways,” Smith said.
Up next for Heritage (1-0) is a bout at Wayne Academy at 7 p.m. Friday. There’s still plenty of things to fix before the Patriots hit the grass in an effort to improve to 2-0.
“Just being more sound and more disciplined,” Smith said. “It’s a different kind of opponent, so we have to prepare differently. They are going to bring different styles of offense and different styles of defense, so we just have to turn (the Patriots) focus from Winston to what Wayne is going to give to us.”
Noxubee County 29, Heidelberg 22
Down 20-6 in the second quarter, the Tigers showcased some poise and grit as they embarked on a comeback victory that was powered by 215 rushing yards from running back Laderoun Mosely.
Noxubee recovered a muffed punt in the second quarter and drove down the field and scored to flip the momentum their way.
“I like that we competed the whole game,” head coach Teddy Young said. “There was a point in the game where we were down and the kids kept fighting. They never quit, and we stayed together.”
The victory was earned in spite of some sloppy play Young summarized as miscommunication on defense and 16 penalties, which were mostly called presnap on the offensive line.
“We have to clean up the penalties. Defensively, we have to have better communication in the secondary,” Young said. “We blew a few coverages and missed on some big plays and big touchdowns for (Heidelberg), so once we can stop giving up the big plays, (our) defense I think will be very good on that side of the ball. On offense, we just have to clean up those penalties.”
In his first start at quarterback, Jykeim Goodwin went 5-of-8 for 103 yards with a touchdown throw to receiver Jadien Taylor, who was targeted three times for 97 yards.
“He managed the game very well, didn’t turn the ball over. He ran the ball when we needed him to run the ball. He made some throws when it was time to make some throws, so I was impressed with how he played. I think the first two drives he was kind of nervous, but once he settled down he helped us win the game.”
Led by Mosely, the Tigers found a difference in the ground game as the running back room picked up 310 yards. Goodwin provided 70 yards on 10 carries, and Adrian Bryant ran for 25 yards on five totes and scored a TD.
“All the credit goes to the offensive line,” Young said. “Those guys opened up some holes for them.”
Noxubee (1-0) plays at Kemper County 7 p.m. on Friday.
Biggersville 34, West Lowndes 8
Turnovers were the difference for the Panthers in their season-opening loss at home to Biggersville.
West Lowndes lost the ball six times – one blocked punt, one fumble and four interceptions that came late in the game – all of which led to scores for Lions.
The Panthers led 8-0 after the first quarter, trailed 14-8 at halftime and gave up the rest of the Lions’ scores late in the fourth quarter, when West Lowndes tried to push the ball down the field through the air. All of the Lions’ points were created off the Panthers’ turnovers.
“I have a very talented team, but they’re very young,” said head coach Anthony King. “There’s going to be some growing pains and we have to be patient as we grow it out and get the wrinkles out of everything. You get everything out, I think we’ll be a whole lot better.”
West Lowndes (0-1) is back in action at 7 p.m. Friday at Leake County.
Itawamba Agricultural 27, Caledonia 16
The Cavaliers fought until the bitter end on Friday against the visiting Indians, who sealed their victory with a pick-6 on the Cavs’ Hail Mary attempt on the last play of the game.
Itawamba led 6-0 in the first quarter, 14-3 at halftime and held a slim 14-13 going into the final frame. The Cavs forced a turnover and got into the end zone with around four minutes left to play to cut their deficit to 21-16. Itawamaba recovered the Cavs’ onside kick but was halted in its drive to ice the game and gave the ball back to Caledonia with just over one minute left to play. As the Cavs were looking for chunk play though the air to get within striking distance, the Indians came down with an interception and returned it for a score to end the game.
“It was a real good high school football game, I thought for both teams,” said Caledonia head coach Michael Kelly. “Obviously, one team came out with a byproduct it wanted and one didn’t. I think there are a lot of good things. After we sat back and had the whole weekend to evaluate our film, we had practice (yesterday) morning to correct ourselves. There’s a lot of good things. I thought our kids played with great effort, great energy, a great competitive desire to be on the grass. … We just have to progress with our execution. We’re still making some mistakes that are inexcusable on both sides of the ball. At the end of the day, if you make those mistakes too many times other teams are going to capitalize on them, and (Itawamba) did.”
Caledonia (0-1) looks for its first win of the season at 7 p.m. Friday at Amory.
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