MERIDIAN —
Quitman had its chances last week. And the Panthers know just what they missed.
“We went toe to toe with the No. 1 team in the state,” Quitman coach Steve Bynum said. “If we clean up a few mistakes, maybe we have a chance to win and shock some people in the process.
But now the Panthers are looking to learn from those mistakes when North Forrest visits for homecoming at 7:30 p.m. today.
The Eagles and Panthers are both 3-1. North Forrest beat Quitman 14-11 last season.
“We went back and watched the film and saw some things that we have to get better at,” Bynum said. “We made a lot of mistakes, and so did Meridian. There were a lot of dropped passes and special teams were a thorn in our side in that game.”
Still, despite those miscues — which included a bad snap on a punt that led to a Meridian score and a missed extra point — the Panthers hung with the Class 6A Wildcats. And with a host of new faces in the Quitman lineup, that has Bynum encouraged.
Still, there are things that need to be worked on, first against North Forrest and then against Southeast Lauderdale, so that the Panthers are ready when Division 5-4A play begins in two weeks.
“We hope to be,” Bynum said. “We’ve just got to clean up these mistakes, especially on special teams.
“We also have to catch the ball a little bit better because Franklin (Jones) has improved throwing the football.”
And if Jones is improved throwing the football, defenses beware. The Panthers’ senior quarterback has already been a tough task to slow down as he rushed and threw for more than 1,500 yards last season and picked right back up this season where he left off in leading Quitman to a 3-0 start before the loss to Meridian.
And while Jones is Quitman’s biggest threat, he is not the Panthers’ only weapon. After starting running back Jac’Quan Godette, who was injured in Quitman’s jamboree last season and missed the entire year, tore his ACL against Neshoba Central in this season’s opener Aug. 17, sophomore Josh Davis has started to emerge at tailback.
“He’s getting better every game,” Bynum said. “He’s running harder every game and our offensive line blocked really well last week.
“Davis is only a sophomore and he’s a special one.
“It’s tough (to see Godette injured two straight years). I was torn up inside when he got hurt against Neshoba. But this is football and it is what it is.”
With Davis emerging next to Jones and a young defense growing up, the Panthers are developing into a dangerous foe, one coming off a South State runner-up finish.
Still, Bynum, in his first year as Quitman’s head coach, is worried about North Forrest first.
“We’ve got a lot of distractions this week with homecoming,” he said. “And they beat us last year and have a heck of a team. We’re just trying to keep things simple and hope we can deal with all the distractions that includes the parade.”
Sports
Cleaning up
One week after playing No. 1 MHS close, Quitman looking for improvement
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Bulldogs win again, beat S. Carolina in SEC Tournament
Demarcus Henderson and Wes Rea both had RBI singles in the ninth inning to lift Mississippi State to a 5-3 win over South Carolina Wednesday night in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament.
The Bulldogs (42-16) loaded the bases with one out before Henderson and Rea drove in runs on consecutive at-bats for the second time in the game.
Mississippi State had beaten Missouri 2-1 in 17 innings Tuesday night, matching the longest game in SEC tournament history.
Reliever Myles Gentry (4-0) limited the Gamecocks (39-17) to a one-out single in the bottom of the ninth.
Gentry pitched 5-2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out eight.
Rea was 3 for 4 while Henderson drove in three runs.
Mississippi State led 3-0 before South Carolina tied it up in the fourth.
Max Schrock drew a bases loaded walk and Brison Celek followed with a two-run single. -
Hogs top Ole Miss in SEC Tournament
For the second time this season the Rebels played an extra-inning affair with the Razorbacks, but with a different outcome as No. 21 Ole Miss (37-21) fell to No. 15 Arkansas (36-19) 2-1 in 10 innings on Wednesday.
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Fundamentals leading Newton County to Jackson
In 2006, Newton County baseball won the 3A state title. Since then, they've moved up a class but haven't had much luck – until now.
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Roy takes over as football head coach at Clarkdale
After nine years serving as an assistant on the Clarkdale football coaching staff, Wes Roy proudly considers himself a Bulldog. The coach has not only grown to love the team and its players, but also the Clarkdale community itself.
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Bennett stays on as softball coach at Clarkdale
In one season as the interim coach for the Clarkdale softball team, Britt Bennett has gone through what most coaches go through in a career. Over the past year, Clarkdale has dealt with the death of two students, a coaching scandal and the departure of two star players.
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Titles nothing new for Newton County
Newton County captured its seventh fast-pitch state championship, outscoring defending champion Houston 26-3 in two games. The Cougars took home the title despite not having a single senior on their roster –– still, few were surprised.
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Embry completes 5A title sweep
In his first year coaching the Neshoba Central softball team, Trae Embry won two state titles but wouldn't take all the credit.
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Morgan takes runner-up at Nationals
Meridian Community College golfer, TJ Morgan, from Bruce, MS, tied for the
individual medalist at the NJCAA D1 National Championship held in Lubbock, TX, but lost on the first hole of a playoff. TJ shot 7 under for the tournament with a 76 on the first day followed by 68, 67 and a last round 70. Aksel Olsen from Wallace State Community College won the playoff. TJ was named First Team All-American for his high finish. -
MSU’s Renfroe wins Ferriss Trophy
The first time Mississippi State coach John Cohen saw Hunter Renfroe play baseball, he marveled at his natural ability.
Three years later, he's also in awe of his work ethic. -
(PHOTOS) Enterprise in the Class 2A State Championship
Slideshow of Enterprise in the Class 2A State Championship fast pitch series.
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