After the opening week of the prep football season, one thing is clear.
West Oktibbeha County High School looks to pick up offensively where it left off last season.
The Timberwolves rocked and rolled to a 66-6 victory over S.V. Marshall Friday night at Maben.
Now, West Oktibbeha looks for two straight when the team travels to Montgomery County.
County rival East Oktibbeha County is also on the road. The Titans visit McAdams.
Each game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
In the academy ranks, Starkville Academy plays host to arch-rival Heritage Academy.
Kickoff there is set for 7 p.m. Friday.
“(Last) Monday, (coach Adam Lowery) gave us a tough speech on the goal line,” West Oktibbeha senior quarterback Von Smith said. “He told us we need to have that championship mindset. It got quiet, you could hear a pin drop.
“It soaked in because were already upset because of the (preseason) loss to East Webster. But we learned from it and got better.”
West Oktibbeha racked up 352 total yards and scored six first-quarter touchdowns, including a defensive score.
“I already knew we’d be good on defense,” West Oktibbeha senior linebacker Tiberias Lampkin said. “This summer, we focused on straight defense, no offense at all.”
Montgomery County opened the season with a 33-6 loss at West Lowndes.
West Oktibbeha won last season’s meeting, 50-30.
Starkville Academy-Heritage Academy
Starkville Academy looks to build on its season-opening 13-0 win at St. Andrew’s.
“We came out and scored on four plays,” Starkville Academy senior running back/defensive back Colby Runnels said. “After that, we really struggled on offense.
“Defensively, we played great the entire night.”
The Volunteers scored two first-half touchdowns and made those scores stand up. Still, Starkville Academy was plagued by four turnovers.
“We have to get better at that,” Runnels said. “This week at practice, when we run our sprints, all of the backs have been holding a football when we do those. We have the capabilities to be good on offense but we can’t give away possessions.”
Heritage Academy can relate. The Patriots also turned the ball over four times in a season-opening 36-23 home loss to Lamar School.
“It is a big rivalry game, so we will have to pick up our play,” Runnels said. “We know Heritage will come over here ready to give us a game.”
Starkville Academy won last season’s meeting, 33-7.
East Oktibbeha-McAdams
East Oktibbeha resumes a season-opening four-game road swing with a trip to McAdams.
The Titans opened the season with a 40-6 loss at Leake County.
“We did not play with a lot of composure,” East Oktibbeha coach Randy Brooks said. “A lot of players were playing their first varsity snaps and it really showed.
“The players got a little experience Friday night. So now we are back on the practice field getting ready to go again. The thing is to continue to work hard.”
McAdams opened the season with a 42-6 loss at Williams-Sullivan.
East Oktibbeha won last season’s meeting, 54-0.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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