We’re halfway through September, and while most teams have played three games, or even fewer, there already are very few matchups featuring two undefeated teams. But there’s a good one on tap in Starkville tonight and an intriguing one in Fulton.
All games begin at 7 p.m.
Columbus (1-2) at Tupelo (3-0): Tupelo certainly will present a challenge. The Golden Wave have won a game in which they gained only 109 yards of total offense, and they have won games in which they have scored 41 and 56 points. Sophomore Quay Middlebrooks is coming off a 121-yard, 3-touchdown performance in a 56-0 win over Corinth, and Tupelo as a team is averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Sophomore quarterbacks Lake Reed and Jeremiah Harrell each have played in all three games, with Harrell the more accurate passer thus far.
New Hope (2-0) at Itawamba Agricultural (3-0): Itawamba AHS is celebrating its centennial this year, and three games into the season the Indians are the only undefeated team in Class 4A-1, defeating Amory (35-14), New Albany (34-21) and North Pontotoc (40-14). But the Indians aren’t dominating statistically: leading rusher Isaac Smith has 203 yards in three games, while throwing for a respectable 482 yards. But the Indians, ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, are +4 in turnovers, losing just one fumble. This will be New Hope’s second game, as the Trojans won by forfeit in their opener and had last week off.
West Lowndes (1-2) at Noxapater (1-2): There’s history, and then there’s now. Noxapater has won six of eight meetings with West Lowndes over the years, but the Panthers won last year’s meeting 37-7 and Noxpater is 1-2, squeaking by winless Coffeeville (13-12) and losing 35-0 to Eupora and 27-15 to Winston Academy. The Tigers managed 117 yards against Eupora, 163 yards against Winston Academy and 139 yards against Coffeeville. None of those numbers inspires much fear in a defense. Meanwhile, the Panthers held Tupelo Christian Prep’s primary ball carrier, Emmanual Randle, to 15 yards on 16 carries. A team whose leading rusher has 114 yards rushing in three games doesn’t figure to do much better as Noxapater and West Lowndes open Class 1A-3 play..
Louisville (3-0) at Starkville (3-0): On paper, this looks like a great one. The Wildcats come in ranked No. 8 in the state and No. 1 in Class 4A, while the Yellow Jackets are knocking on the door of both the state Top 10 and the Class 6A Top 5. Louisville has won its games comfortably, beating Gentry (31-12), Kemper County (41-7) and Columbus (29-7), but so has Starkville, topping Columbus (28-0) and Olive Branch (38-7) and winning once by forfeit. Senior Emory James leads the Wildcats with 284 yards rushing and 4 TDs, while senior QB Jace Hudspeth has thrown for 456 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs.
Noxubee County (1-1) at Shannon (0-3): What a difference a week makes. The Tigers opened their season last week by playing one of the state’s best. This week, well, they’re not. After a tight opening loss, the Red Raiders have been waxed by New Hope (34-0) and Houston (49-6). Shannon showed no defense against Houston, giving up 12.5 yards per play on the ground and 22.8 yards per play through the air. That has to get Noxubee County QB Vernorrius Chaney juiced, as he completed passes of 59 and 67 yards a week ago.
Oak Hill Academy (1-3) at Lee Academy (0-4): It has been 20 years since these two squared off, and now they’re in the same district, opening MAIS Class 4A-1 play tonight in Clarksdale. It’s safe to say nobody expects a repeat of their last matchup, won by the Colts 47-0 in 2001. This year’s Colts are struggling, losing by at least 24 points in each of their past three games. The Raiders never have beaten the Colts, and after giving up 62 points last week the need for redemption alone could carry them here.
Columbus Christian Academy (2-2) at Tunica Academy (1-2): For the third time in four weeks, the Rams play a district game, and they have been all over the map this year. CCA has scored more than 30 points in each of their wins and managed only a safety in one loss and forfeited for the other. Tunica had strong offensive efforts to open the season, with 92 points in two games, but, missing several starters, was held in check by DeSoto of Arkansas in a 56-8 loss last week. “They definitely have a couple of athletes who are going to be tough to stop,” CCA coach Rusty Mason said. “Their vertical passing game is a threat to everyone they’ll play, no question.”
Victory Christian Academy (0-1) at Tabernacle (3-1): The Eagles will be making the trip to Gardendale, Alabama, to meet a team that can score points. Lots of them. The Torches have scored at least 48 points three times this season. “It will be a challenge for us defensively,” VCA coach Chris Hamm said. “Our main focus is to clean up the mistakes of game one. We want to do all we can with what we have and compete for the entire game.” Tabernacle runs twice as often as it passes, and juniors Trae Andrews (44 carries, 343 yards) and Clinton Chase (62 carries, 304 yards) will be a handful. But the passing game is another matter, as Chase threw for more yards in the opener against East Central Home School (314) than he has in the three games since (307).
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