from combined reports
After rallying for an early deficit Friday night at East Rankin Academy, the Lamar Raiders used a pair of defensive stands to hold on for a 21-13 win.
Lamar fell behind 10-0 before Witt Haggard threw the first of this three touchdown passes, connecting with Jamie Thompson. In the second quarter, Haggard found Michael Marcello to put the Raiders ahead for good 14-10.
Right before the half, though, Lamar had to stuff ERA at the goal line to hang on to the lead. ERA then added a field goal in the third quarter to pull within 14-13. The Raiders answered with a touchdown pass from Haggard to Charlie Nosco and led 21-13, setting up late drama.
With less than 15 seconds remaining, the Raiders again thwarted ERA at the goal line to hang on for the season-opening win.
Lamar hosts Starkville Academy next week.
— Jamie Wachter
Wayne County 26
Laurel 0
Wayne County’s defense held Laurel to only 47 yards of offense here Friday night to highlight the War Eagles 26-0 season opening win over the Tornadoes.
Wayne was the host team for the tilt on the campus of Jones County Junior College because of new field turf being installed in their home stadium. WC took advantage of four short Laurel punts — all less than 20 yards — that set up all their scores on the night.
Wayne County’s first points of the season came eight minutes into opening period when Dewayne Davis ran nine yards on an fourth down play. In the second period, Andre Rankin bulled his way from the one-yard line and then added the conversion run to put WC up 14-0 one minute into the second period. Two minutes later, quarterback Demarcus Henderson hit Malik Lofton on a 25-yard toss for the final first half score.
The only score in the second half came on quarterback Julius McQueen’s 47-yard run in the final period.
Henderson completed nine passes for 133 yards to lead the Wayne offense. Lofton caught three passes for 78 yards. Alvin Smith and Taquana Leverette had interceptions for WC while Jerell Gandy had a fumble recovery.
Wayne County visits Meridian next week while Laurel plays Hattiesburg.
— Dale McKee
Scott Central 28
SE Lauderdale 7
Scott Central scored 14 points in the first quarter to jump on the visiting Tigers on Friday night.
The Rebels added scores in the second and third quarters, while Southeast managed a lone touchdown in the second quarter.
Chris Sicklin led Scott Central's offensive attack with 166 yards rushing on 15 carries. Jimmie Broomfield completed 4 of 7 passes for 82 yards for the Rebels, while Dominique Strong hauled in two passes for 57 yards.
Southeast, which was playing its first game under new head coach Boo Smith, visits Newton County next week.
— Jamie Wachter
Other scores
In other local action Friday, Northeast Lauderdale fell 34-0 to Morton and Russell Christian lost in its first 11-man game 42-0 to Heidelberg Academy.
Choctaw Central downed Noxapater 21-6, Leake Academy defeated Winston 20-13, Kemper Academy beat Rebul Academy 30-18, Newton County Academy downed Hebron Christian 18-12, Quitman edged Pearl 21-17, Wayne Academy lost 26-10 to Alabama's South Choctaw Academy and Union beat Nanih Waiya 29-6.
Philadelphia blanked South Leake 52-0 on Thursday night.
— Jamie Wachter
