By Jamie Wachter / Sports Editor
The Meridian Star
MERIDIAN —
For a rivalry as close Philadelphia and Neshoba Central has been, it has been nothing but lately.
Entering tonight's 51st matchup at Philly's Harpole Stadium, the Tornadoes hold a 26-24 series lead. However, last year the Tornadoes won 40-14. In 2008, Neshoba routed Philadelphia 40-7.
This year, though, both teams enter on a roll with matching 2-0 marks.
The Rockets, who downed West Lauderdale 28-6 last week, has attempted just five passes, completing four of them, so far. Meanwhile, Neshoba has rushed for 614 yards on 79 carries, led by O'Neil McCarty's 219 yards on 22 carries. Quarterback Josh Stewart has 179 yards and both have three touchdowns.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, has been led by Marquise Matthews' 266 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries. Quarterback Lee Smith has completed 14 of 20 passes for 279 yards and five touchdowns.
Choctaw Central at Newton County
Choctaw Central is eyeing its second straight 3-0 start. Meanwhile, the Cougars are looking to equal last year's win total in just the third week of the season.
The Cougars, who rallied for a 7-6 win last week at Southeast Lauderdale to improve to 2-0, are led by Jamorral Graham's 104 yards rushing on 17 carries. As a team, Newton County has 289 yards rushing. Jordan Walker has completed 5 of 18 passes so far for 40 yards and one touchdown.
Choctaw has also leaned on the run in its undefeated start with quarterback Garrick Stoliby churning out 129 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. Craig Dixon has added 109 yards and Lenoise Willis has garnered 92 yards as the Warriors have rushed for 374 yards this season. Stoliby has added four touchdowns passing, completing 16 of 33 throws for 269 yards.
Choctaw won 28-22 last year.
Enterprise at Lake
Passes figure to be few and very far between at Lake tonight. Last week, the Bulldogs and Hornets combined to rush for 617 yards on 100 carries in season-opening wins, while attempting zero passes.
Lake, which downed Sebastopol 13-6, won its first game since a 41-23 pasting of Noxapater on Oct. 10, 2008, after an 0-10 season a year ago that included a 47-20 loss at Enterprise.
Charles Bell led Lake with 176 yards and both touchdowns on 21 carries. Juwun Gray added 82 yards on 14 attempts.
Enterprise, which downed Clarkdale 27-20, was led by Ryan Moore's 91 yards on 13 carries as eight Bulldogs toted the ball. Dusty Acreman added 50 yards while quarterback Maxwell Harmon and Zac Morgan each added 48 yards.
Kemper Academy at Calhoun Academy
The Rams and Cougars get an early start on MAIS 8-Man, District 1 play as they hook up in the season's third week.
Calhoun opened the year with a 32-26 win at Park Place before falling 28-20 last week by visiting Rebul.
Kemper, meanwhile, opened the season with a 68-0 beatdown of Christian Collegiate in Pete McCleskey's return to the sidelines.
KA downed Calhoun 50-6 last season and 16-6 in 2008 as the Cougars went 0-10 both years.
Kemper County at Carthage
The Wildcats have used a power rushing attack to grab a 2-0 mark this season. The Tigers, meanwhile, are still looking for their first points.
Tevin Roberts has led Kemper's attack with 387 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries, while Geovontae Carter has two touchdowns and 146 yards and 15 carries. The Wildcats, as a team, have rushed for 626 yards on 87 carries, while throwing for just 163 yards.
Carthage has lost 39-0 at Newton County and 18-0 at home against South Leake.
Heidelberg at Newton
The Tigers gave new coach Ed Stanley his first Newton win last week with an 18-6 triumph at Bay Springs. Now, Stanley gets to coach his first home game with the Tigers when the 0-2 Oilers visit.
Heidelberg, which was beaten 39-0 by Quitman last week, is looking for its first win since downing Bay Springs 18-0 last Sept. 11. The Tigers won 14-6 last season.
Newton County Academy at Tri-County Academy
The Generals, who went just 3-7 last year, are looking for their third win of the 2010 season when they hit the road for the first time.
NCA, which blanked Hebron Christian 38-0 before downing Heidelberg 26-14 last week, lost 14-0 to Tri-County Academy last year. The Rebels finished 11-2, falling 48-42 to Tunica Academy in the second round of the playoffs.
Quitman at Louisville
The 2-0 Panthers, who are coming off a 39-0 rout of Heidelberg, are looking to upend Louisville for the second straight year. Last year, Quitman blasted the Wildcats 45-25.
Louisville, meanwhile, is looking for its first win under new coach M.C. Miller after getting blanked 34-0 by Starkville last week.
Anthony Chambers rushed for 117 yards last week for Quitman, while quarterback Eric Godette has accounted for two touchdowns in each game for the No. 5 Panthers.
