Sure, most area fans, players and coaches are gearing up for their 2008 season openers this Friday night. For local MPSA schools, however, this week will merely be business as usual.
That's because, unlike their MHSAA counterparts, area private schools opened their season last Friday. So, instead of getting ready to start a season anew, local private school teams are hoping to build on last week's success or fix whatever went wrong as they prepare for this week's Game 2.
For a pair of area schools, that second game will come a day early. Looking to rebound from a 56-40 shootout loss at Tensas, the Cougars of Calvary Christian will return closer to Lauderdale County this week to play their "home" opener.
Due to complications with Calvary's home field, the Cougars will host Central Academy tomorrow night at Newton Academy.
Back in Lauderdale County, the Raiders of Lamar School will look to build on last week's impressive 46-12 win at Wayne Academy. The defending Class AA Division II state champs will host Heritage Academy in their home opener Friday night at 7. Last season, the Raiders blanked the Patriots by a score of 36-0 en route to the school's second state title.
In other action, Russell Christian will also attempt to bounce back from a season-opening disappointment. After yielding a late touchdown to give up a lead against Christian Collegiate last Friday night, the Warriors will host Calhoun Academy in an attempt to get into the win column this Friday.
Other MPSA games of note Friday night include Columbia Academy at Heidelberg Academy; Copiah Academy at Leake Academy; Hebron Christian at Newton County Academy; and Wayne Academy at Presbyterian Christian.
Sports
Private schools prep for Week 2
Calvary’s first home game moved to NCA
- Sports
-
-
Neel leaving champion War Eagles for Panthers
Eric Neel spent three seasons coach at East Central. The Hornets played in three state championship games.
Neel then coached the past three years at Wayne County, leading the War Eagles to three straight Class 5A fast-pitch state crowns.
And now, he doesn’t see why the same can’t occur at Quitman. After guiding Wayne County to its third straight championship Saturday, Neel resigned his position in Waynesboro on Thursday to replace Kacie Roberson at Quitman. -
Unexpected Honor
Winning a state championship, that Blake McMullen expected.
To be named the Player of the Year in Class 3A by the Mississippi Association of Coaches, that caught the Southeast Lauderdale senior off guard. -
RCA’s Lee and pair of Generals chosen for All-Star tilt
Russell Christian Academy senior Camryn Lee and Newton County Academy duo Clay Upton and Dillon Williams will wrap up their senior seasons today.
The local trio will play in the MAIS All-Star Class A game at Smith-Wills Stadium in Jackson at 2 p.m. The Class AA-AAA game will follow. -
McFarland named first-team All-American for Jones County
The honors continue to come in for the Jones County Junior College softball program.
Pitcher Ginger Lonergan and centerfielder Relanda McFarland were both named to the NJCAA Division II All-American first-team on Thursday. -
A Family Affair
Five days. Two state titles. One family.
It’d be hard to find a family that had a better week than the one Robbi and Shay Cooper just experienced. -
Roundup — Stephens receives Sekul Award
Adding to his impressive collection of coaching hardware, East Mississippi Community College head football coach Buddy Stephens was presented with the 2011 George Sekul Award during the All-American Football Foundation’s Banquet of Champions held earlier this month at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
-
The Drought Is Over
All Mason Irby was hoping for was to find a way on base.
The Southeast Lauderdale sophomore did that and so much more. Irby's single with two outs in the seventh inning broke a tie, lifting the Tigers to a 6-3 MHSAA Class 3A state championship win at Smith-Wills Stadium on Wednesday, and handing Southeast (32-7) its first title since 1966. -
Ramey shines again, hurls Tigers to MHSAA Class 3A crown
The bar was set pretty high.
After all, Southeast Lauderdale senior right-hander Colby Ramey needed just 65 pitches to beat Kossuth in Game 1 of the MHSAA Class 3A state championship game Thursday.
However, according to fellow senior Blake McMullen, Ramey cleared the hurdle Wednesday when he scattered eight hits on 104 pitches to finish off the Aggies in a 6-3 state championship-clinching win at Smith-Wills Stadium on Wednesday. -
Southeast wins MHSAA Class 3A Championsip
Slideshow from the MHSAA Class 3A state championship game between Southeast Lauderdale and Kossuth.
-
Briarwood to host Emerald Coast Golf Tour in June
Professional golf is coming to Meridian.
The Emerald Coast Golf Tour will be holding the Meridian Pro-Am Classic at Briarwood Country Club June 26-29. - More Sports Headlines
-
Neel leaving champion War Eagles for Panthers

