Sports
Clarkdale faces daunting task in Perry Central
The Clarkdale football team faces a tough test in its opening round of the Class 3A playoffs. The Bulldogs (4-7) are the fourth seed from Region 5-3A and travel to Perry Central (11-0), who is the top seed out of Region 8-3A.
Adding to the difficult task has been a change in practice routine. This week's practices were ran mostly by Clarkdale assistant coaches Joey Ethridge and Wes Roy due to head coach Jud Gartman missing much of the week with an ailment.
"Those two are very dedicated coaches," said Gartman. " I'm very proud of them."
The Bulldogs will be facing a very dangerous Perry Central team that is capable of putting up a lot of points. According to Gartman, Perry runs a spread offense that can run the ball as well as pass. The Bulldogs are familiar with the spread as they have faced multiple teams that incorporate that style of offense this year.
" We've seen that style a lot this year," Gartman added. " We know what to do, we just have to do it."
Clarkdale will look to control the clock with its run-first offense. Gartman believes the offensive line will be the key factor if the Bulldogs are to take home a win.
"The offensive line needs to have a big game," Gartman noted. "They have to open up wholes for our backs and hopefully we can keep the chains moving."
Clarkdale has made the playoffs four out of the past six years but only once in the past three.
" We are gonna give it our best shot and all our guys are excited about going," Gartman said.
St. Patrick at Philadelphia
Philadelphia is set to begin its state title quest Friday night when the Tornadoes take on St. Patrick.
Philly, the No. 1 seed from Region 5-3A, has had a strong season compiling a record of (10-1). St. Patrick (3-6) comes into the contest as the fourth seed out of Region 8-3A.
The Tornadoes will rely on stud running back Brandon Willis for their offensive spark. Willis ran for 203 yards on 28 carries and four touchdowns in last week's 40-29 victory against Kemper County.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Philadelphia.
- Sports
-
- Tigers pounce on Stanley
- Newton girls look to make mark at Grand Slam
- Frazier named East Central defensive coordinator
- Area Roundup: ECCC sweeps Mississippi Delta
- No. 12 EMCC to open with Brunswick at NJCAA tourney
-
All-Star Performer
There is no doubt in Northeast Lauderdale coach Frederick Liddell’s mind that Trojans’ star senior Norianna Haynes is a deserving All-Star.
In fact, when the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game is played March 19 in Pelham, Ala., he’s expecting her to shine. -
EMCC's Ware, Hull earn All-Region 23 accolades
East Mississippi sophomore standouts CoCo Ware and Martika Hull have been named to the 2009-10 NJCAA All-Region 23 basketball teams, as voted on by the head coaches of the community colleges located in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana.
- Roundup - Calvary doubles up Lamar
- Ahlzadeh slams Eagles to victory
-
Feeling Blue
The drought continues for the Meridian High basketball program.
Eyeing their first state championship since 1978, the Wildcats saw their season come to an end on a sour note Saturday night as it was defeated by Starkville in tightly-contested 6A state championship game 57-51 at the Mississippi Coliseum. - More Sports Headlines
