MERIDIAN —     What a difference a week made for the Choctaw Central offense. After fumbling seven times in its season-opening loss to Leake Central, Choctaw didn’t turn the ball over once Friday night against visiting Union, winning 17-14.

    With the turnovers eliminated, the Warriors’ flexbone hummed along, churning out 254 yards rushing and 310 yards total.

    “We had zero turnovers, that was the main difference,” Choctaw coach Troy Savell said. “Our defense was able to stay fresh.”

    That made an impact late, as the Warriors’ withstood a fourth-and-goal by Union in the final minute to survive. Choctaw led 17-14 at halftime.

    “We put together a couple of long drives and that kept our defense off the field,” Savell added.

    Choctaw scored on a 45-yard run from Kanyon Jimmie and an interception return from Dalton Clegg. The Warriors then took the lead for good shorty before halftime on a 30-yard field goal from Demarquis Wilson.

    Choctaw (1-1) visits Newton County on Friday, while Union (1-1) hosts Clarkdale.

— Jamie Wachter



Scott Central    13

Newton    12

    One week after getting hammered by Northeast Lauderdale, the Tigers looked ready for a repeat performance early.

    Scott Central, which was making its season debut, jumped on host Newton with a 13-0 lead before the Tigers rallied.

    “Basically, we came out the same way,” first-year Newton coach Chris Gale said. “But we kept fighting.

    “We had a couple of bad breaks on some extra points, otherwise we could have been on top.”

    Newton scored on a 40-yard touchdown reception by Josh Donald and on a 1-yard run from Keoddrick Hillie.

    The 0-2 Tigers travel to Leake County on Friday.

    “We just need to steadily improve and if we work at that and put in the effort, the rest will take care of itself,” Gale said.

— Jamie Wachter



Quitman    27

Greene County    20

    The Panthers’ strong second-half performances carried on Friday night.

    In its season opener, Quitman pulled away from Neshoba Central late and the Panthers rallied from a 13-0 hole to move to 2-0 on the road Friday.

    “We kind of got hit in the moouth early,” Quitman coach Steve Bynum said. “And that’s a pretty good ballclub over there.

    “We couldn’t move the ball and we kind of gave them some short fields. But we got a score late in the half to keep us in it.”

    Once again, senior quarterback Franklin Jones led that charge. Jones completed 13 of 21 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown, while also scoring on runs of 9 and 14 yards.

    “This is a different group than last year,” Bynum added. “Last year’s team was an emotional team and this year’s group never gets overly executed and just remains on an even keel.”

    Quitman will put that level-headedness to a test Friday when rival Heidelberg visits.

— Jamie Wachter



Kemper County    32

Nanih Waiya    12

    Danya Turner picked up his first win as the Wildcats’ head coach in blowout fashion Friday night in DeKalb.

    Kemper, which improved to 1-1, got three touchdowns (23, 26 and 85 yards) and 216 yards on 12 carries from Anthony Ruffin, while Dovontae Vickers hauled in a 75-yard scoring pass from Kevin Bourrage. Bourrage completed 3 of 5 passes for 78 yards.

    Javon Sanders and Vickers led the Wildcats defensively.

    Kemper visits defending Class A champion Noxapater on Friday.

— Jamie Wachter

Newton Co. Aca.    12

Wayne Aca.    0

    One week after losing a low-scoring affair to Oak Hill Academy, the Generals bounced back to win one Friday in Waynesboro.

    Alex Harrison recovered a Jaguar fumble in the end zone for one NCA touchdown and Joseph Little hauled in a 45-yard scoring strike from Tanner Smith for the other. Smith completed 5 of 10 passes for 104 yards. Regan Reiss led the Generals with 95 yards rushing, while adding eight tackles on defense. Zack Skelton led the Generals’ charge on defense with 11 tackles, three for a loss, and forced a fumble. Little added seven tackles and an interception.

    “Our defense played really well,” NCA coach Robert Roberts said. “I was real pleased with them. But our offense has some work to do.”

    The Generals will get a chance to work on those offensive woes Friday when Oak Forest (La.) visits.

— Jamie Wachter