There is no better way to end a football season than to have two old rivals get together to battle it out. That's exactly what fans will be getting Friday night in Collinsville as West Lauderdale (8-2, 4-0 in Region 5-4A) and Northeast Lauderdale (6-4, 2-2) clash in the regular season finale.
The Trojans lead the all-time series, which dates back to 1962, 26-17-2. However, West has won the past four meetings between the two teams.
According to both coaches, this week's practices have been upbeat and the players cannot wait for game time.
"Our players know their players," West coach Glen Sanders said. "The kids look forward to this game every year."
Northeast coach Steve Nelson added: "Our seniors are 0-3 against West and really want this win."
West Lauderdale wrapped up the division last week with a win against South Jones and will be hosting a first round playoff game. Northeast, however, will be playing for the possibility of a better playoff spot.
If the Trojans win and Laurel and Quitman lose they would claim the No. 2 spot in the division behind the Knights. Should one of those teams lose and one win Northeast would clinch the third spot. They would fall to fourth if both Laurel and Quitman come away with victories.
West and Northeast both have dangerous offenses capable of putting up points. The Trojans will look to Marquez Hopson and Jamond Hill to make big plays.
"We need ball security from Hopson and Hill," Nelson noted. "If we get that out of them I feel good with the ball in their hands."
Sanders added: "They are very fast. We have to keep them in front of us and wrap them up and bring them down when we have the oppurtunities."
West will be counting on senior quarterback Nate Hodges and the backfield duo of Dennis Lewis and Robert Sillimon for a lot of offensive production in what has been a very effective Wing T set.
"Our execution has gotten better every week this year," said Sanders of West's offensive scheme.
Friday night's game should be exciting to watch as both teams look to roll into the playoffs with momentum behind them. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Sports
Knights, Trojans resume rivalry
- Sports
-
-
Young Eagles expect some growing pains in 2012
The 2012 edition of the Meridian Community fast-pitch team will sport a multitude of new faces when it hits the field Friday for its season opener. The Eagles lost seven sophomores from last year as well as two returning freshmen.
-
Meridian splits with Southern Shreveport
The Meridian Community College Eagles won its second straight Miss-Lou Conference game by defeating Southern Shreveport by a final score of 68-66.
-
Back in the spotlight
SCOOBA – Sporting a current 12-game winning streak, the East Mississippi Community College men’s basketball team has re-entered the NJCAA Division I Top 20 tied for 19th nationally in this week’s poll. Head coach Mark White’s 15-2 EMCC Lions tipped off the current season ranked seventh nationally on the strength of back-to-back NJCAA National Tournament appearances in Hutchinson, Kan.
-
Clarkdale serves notice in rout of Enterprise
The Clarkdale girls’ basketball team served notice that it belonged among the top teams in MHSAA Class 2A with a 59-56 division win at defending 2A state champion Scott Central on January 31.
-
Northeast Lauderdale stuns, upsets Northeast Jones in opening round.
Shaquanta McDonald and Tarmecia Mack each scored 10 points as The Trojans beat the Tigers 42-28 in the opening round of the District 5-4A District Tournament held at West Lauderdale Tuesday. Brittany Williams added nine points for Northeast Lauderdale (5-21).
-
Season Ender
The defense was there, but the offense never came around and Meridian High saw its playoff hopes disappear as Oak Grove pulled away in the final minutes to knock off the host Wildcats 58-48 on Tuesday night in the Region 5-6A Tournament.
-
Kemper County wins thriller over Heidelberg
In a division with traditional powerhouses Choctaw Central, Southeast Lauderdale and Newton – the fourth-and-fifth-seeded Kemper County and Heidelberg girls both were hoping to just punch their ticket to the Class 3A state playoffs and hope to hit a hot streak.
Part one of that equation was successful for Kemper County Tuesday night, but it was far from easy. -
New-look Lions set to open 2012 softball season
Coming off the most successful season of fast-pitch softball competition in the program’s history, the East Mississippi Community College Lions are set to open their 2012 softball campaign by playing host to Marion Military Institute Tuesday afternoon on the Scooba campus. First pitch for the season-opening doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.
-
Yellowjackets survive Hornets, keep season alive
Rarely does a team commit 46 turnovers and not get run out of the gym, but the Union girls overcame their ballhandling woes to knock off Lake 41-38 in overtime of the MHSAA Division 6-2A Tournament Monday night.
-
Roundup — MCC baseball splits pair at tourney
The Meridian Community College Eagles salvaged a split of its final games in the 2012 T.J. Fleming Invitational at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College on Sunday. - More Sports Headlines
-
Young Eagles expect some growing pains in 2012
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
