Caledonia has found a groove in its last four games, going 3-1 to get back over the .500 mark on the season.
Confidence is high for the Cavaliers, especially following a victory on homecoming night in Caledonia against Aberdeen last week.
Sights are set on the future for the Cavs, who look to replicate the magic of 2021, and up next is one of the toughest tests of the season so far, a road game against a 3-1 Kosciusko.
“I thought we practiced well this week,” Caledonia head coach Michael Kelly said. “Our kids have bounced back well after a busy week last week with homecoming. … I’ve been pleased with it thus far.”
The Cavs’ defense has carried them in 2023, while the offense looks for continued improvement. Caledonia has yet to allow 30 or more points in a game to any opponent this season, holding opponents to 21 points or less in three of their five games overall.
The Cavs have also found ways to take advantage of opposition turnovers, but a team can’t depend on turnovers, so controlling the ball on offense and not turning it over themselves will be keys to success on Friday.
“Defensively, we can’t give up the big play,” Kelly said. “We need to neutralize the run game. … Offensively, we need to execute well, control the line of scrimmage and if we can do that, we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
Itawamba Agricultural (2-3) at Noxubee County (2-3), 7 p.m.
Noxubee County has certainly had the kitchen sink thrown at it through the first five games of the 2023 season.
The Tigers have thus far played powerhouses like West Point, Starkville and Louisville, faring well against the Green Wave and Wildcats despite coming up short in the end.
But that’s been Noxubee’s identity for some time now, a team that can go up against anyone in Mississippi, and up next for them is another test in Itawamba Agricultural on Friday night.
“I think it will be a great matchup,” Noxubee County head coach Teddy Young said. “That’s a great program over there. They’re young this year just like us, but they have a lot of talent. We’re looking forward to it.”
Like the Tigers, Itawamba has had its fair share of struggles this season, having already lost three games through its first five games compared to three total losses in the two seasons prior.
It’s a transitional period for IAHS, but that doesn’t make Friday’s game any less important, something Young and Noxubee have made sure to prepare for.
“Everyone wants to go into district play on the winning side of things,” Young said. “We’re expecting them to come out and give us all they got. Our boys will do the same.”
Byhalia (1-4) at West Lowndes (1-3), 7 p.m.
Heading into the 2023 season, West Lowndes had significant questions to answer, and so far, those questions still remain.
The Panthers, still searching for options after a number of seniors graduated last season, have struggled to find offense and keep opponents off the board.
That’s manifested itself into a 1-3 record overall, but a great opportunity for a second win is up for grabs on Friday against Byhalia.
“We’ve tried to change and improve chemistry,” West Lowndes head coach Anthony King said. “We just changed the defense up. I think our guys played hard last week, but we had a lot of penalties and turnovers. We’re just trying to get better, execute better than we did last week.”
Also with just one win on the season, Byhalia’s season has looked a lot like West Lowndes’; a season-opening win followed by consecutive losses.
Despite playing one more game than the Panthers, Byhalia has been exposed in the same ways, an offense that hasn’t been able to operate well and a defense that has given up far too many points.
Both teams are desperate for a win, which means Friday should be a competitive battle down to the final whistle.
“We feel good,” King said. “We have homecoming. We know we’re going to have a lot of people out. We need to be disciplined, play in our zone and in our coverage. We need to be where we’re supposed to be and if we do that, we should be okay.”
Heritage Academy (0-6) at Coosa Christian (Ala.) (4-1), 7 p.m.
Heritage Academy has struggled mightily this season in a way the Patriots didn’t expect coming into the season, sputtering to an 0-6 start while averaging fewer than 15 points per game.
Coupled with the fact that the Pats have allowed 33 points a game, an average differential of more than 18 points, and you have a team that’s in desperate need of that elusive first win of the season.
Things certainly won’t get any easier this Friday, as the Pats travel across state lines to play Coosa Christian (Ala.), a 4-1 team that’s allowed just six points in its last four games.
The Conquerors are on a four-game winning streak, pitching three shutouts defensively and scoring 35 or more points in each of their last three games, including two 48+ point performances.
Heritage has lost by 10 or fewer points In two of their last three games, a promising sign for the future, but the Pats will need a great performance in all facets of the game to finally get that first win..
Other games
Carroll Academy (1-5) at Columbus Christian Academy (0-6), 7 p.m.
Hebron Christian (1-4) at Calhoun Academy (4-0), 7 p.m.
Cornerstone Christian (Ala.) (5-0) at Victory Christian (2-1), 7 p.m.
Aliceville (Ala.) (1-4) at Central Tuscaloosa (Ala.) (3-2), 7 p.m.
Pickens Academy (Ala.) (1-4) at Jackson Academy (Ala.) (6-0), 7 p.m.
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 29 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 29 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