Lamar is set to resume playoff action Friday night as it travels to Mendenhall to take on Simpson Academy in the MAIS Class AA state semifinals. While the Raiders (11-1) are looking to avenge their only loss this year, it will be a stiff task. The Cougars beat Lamar 48-21 just four weeks ago.
According to Lamar coach Mac Barnes, this week's practice has gone well despite being low-contact due to a Raider team recovering from last week's physical contest, a 54-41 win at Marshall Academy.
"We're OK and still have people sore and banged up from Friday night," said Barnes. "I think we will be OK by Friday night."
Barnes believes that having already played the Cougars this season works to Lamar's advantage and it has made it easier to prepare for them this week.
"In the first game they showed us the things we weren't that good at," noted Barnes. "We started the next day of practice working on those things. We've seen how they are going to attack us and defend us."
That method of attack comes in the form of the ground game. In the previous meeting, Simpson accrued more than 500 yards rushing. According to Barnes, the Raiders have to step up and play the rush better.
"Their two running backs are just taking turns killing teams," said Barnes. "They get behind that big offensive line and run well. Those are the guys we gotta stop."
Offensively, Barnes is relying on his skill players to do their part.
"In the last game Simpson did a good job at stuffing our wide receivers off the line with their pressure defense," added Barnes. "Hopefully everyone will step up and give a great combined effort. I think we will play much better this time."
Kickoff is set for 7p.m.
Sports
Looking for payback
Raiders hope to avenge earlier loss to Cougars
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Young Eagles expect some growing pains in 2012
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