Area teams begin basketball, soccer seasons with mixed results
High school basketball and soccer season is here and many area teams are off to the races with their seasons already underway. Here’s a quick look at how they fared this week.
Jefferson scores 6 touchdowns as Trojans dispatch rival Cavs to end regular season
Already in the midst of a stellar night, New Hope running back Jacob Jefferson had just added a kick return touchdown to his highlight reel to open the third quarter of Thursday night’s Region 1-5A regular-season finale against rival Caledonia – but then the dreaded yellow flags were tossed.
Heritage rolls in MAIS 4A playoff opener behind Tate’s 5 touchdowns
The opening round of the MAIS Division 4A playoffs brought a different kind of spotlight to Heritage Academy on Friday night. Head coach Tobias Smith was unavailable due to a one-game suspension, and former head coach Sean Harrison stepped back in to lead the Patriots. The situation could have introduced confusion or hesitation, but it never did. Heritage was aggressive, organized and confident from the opening series and rolled to a 35-7 win over Oak Forest Academy.
Tigers explode in 4th quarter for playoff win over Yazoo County
As the penalty flags were piling up, Noxubee County’s 14-9 lead late in the third quarter against Yazoo County began to look slimmer and more enticing to the visiting Panthers.
A look at all six teams that begin playoffs tonight
The playoffs are here for many area teams, and for some it is their first postseason appearance in a while, others are looking to make another deep run to the state championship game. Here’s a look at every local team beginning their second season tonight.
West Point rolling ahead of regular-season finale
The Green Wave are still undefeated and have claimed a region title with one week left in the regular season. West Point (9-0, 4-0 in Region 1-5A) is fresh off a 38-7 demolition of New Hope and will face Columbus this week.
61st meeting between rival Cavs, Trojans brings interconference flair
Archrivals New Hope and Caledonia have played each other 60 times in the game of football, 50 of which are wins for the Trojans, and never before have the two teams squared off as region foes. Today, that fact is erased.
Heritage Academy’s strong second half spurs win in regular-season finale
The regular season of the 2025 high school campaign came to a close last week for many area teams, some with losses, some with wins. Behind a strong second-half effort, Heritage Academy ended Region 2-4A play with a comeback victory while Columbus’s late rally fell short in another loss. Starkville Academy heads to the postseason trying to bounce back from a rout at Hartfield Academy.
Webber’s ‘really good day’ earns Player of the Week honor
Xzavier Webber has spent his entire high school football career at Heritage Academy and grew into a weapon for the Patriots on offense and on defense.
Falcons’ second-half rally falls short in loss to Pontotoc
For two quarters, Pontotoc could do no wrong. Behind a balanced offense and a fast start from quarterback Austin Bean, the Warriors built a commanding lead and held off a late Columbus rally to secure a 28-20 victory Friday night.
Late field goal gives Jags 38-35 win over Jackets in Halloween thriller
On a night where Starkville was vying to end a three-game homestand with its third victory, Madison Central rolled into town Friday and left as the villains.
Panthers blanked at Calhoun City in regular-season finale
From the opening quarter, Calhoun City set the tone and never gave West Lowndes a chance to recover.
West Point routs New Hope, claims 1-5A title
t was a spooky night for the New Hope Trojans as the West Point Green Wave handed them their first district loss of the season, 38-7, in a Halloween matchup.
Taylor accounts for five TDs as Tigers clinch home turf for 1st round of playoffs
There wasn’t a lot of cheering from Noxubee County in its postgame huddle Thursday night in Aberdeen.
Starkville’s boys soccer team opens season with 2-1 win over Saltillo
Starkville’s boys soccer team opened the 2025 season on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over Saltillo that was played in Starkville due to flooding of Saltillo’s field.
Jackets welcome Jags for final leg of 2-7A homestand
It’s not every season a football team gets to play three straight conference games at home in front of its fans, but it’s been an opportunity afforded to Starkville this season and the Yellow Jackets have been making the most of their homestand.
Starkville, New Hope aspiring for deeper playoff pushes as soccer season kicks off
The soccer season begins soon for many local public schools as they begin their race through the regular season to the playoffs. Here’s a look at the upcoming seasons for Starkville and New Hope.
Offensive and defensive prowess lead Green Wave, Tigers and Trojans to region wins
West Point, Noxubee County and New Hope all added another check in the win column last week behind strong performances on offense and defense as they turn their attention to the close of the regular season. For Columbus, a late interception cost the team a chance at its second win of the season.
Taylor lights up scoreboard to earn second Player of the Week honor
On the heels of a performance that made him last week’s Dispatch Player of the Week, Noxubee County’s Jadien Taylor went out and wowed once more.
Jackets breeze by Mustangs in homecoming district win
The cool fall air finally seemed to settle in Mississippi on Friday, and with it the intensity of teams readying for playoff action.
Jelly Roll to perform at Jeffery Simmons Community Fun Day
July 3, 2025
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