Meridian High School’s Quincy Lenton attempts to avoid a Noxubee County High School tackler in a game played earlier this season.

Quincy Lenton was just a bystander when his team took on Oak Grove High School Oct. 9.

The Meridian High School senior missed the rivalry game with a lower leg injury, and observed from the sideline as his squad fell to the Warriors 24-21 after Oak Grove connected on a field goal on the game’s final play.

The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back figures to play a prominent role Friday when the two teams square off in a MHSAA Class 6A second-round playoff tilt.

“It was a difficult game (to watch from the sideline),” Lenton recalled. “Especially since they like to pass, and I’m a cover-type defensive back. I’m just looking forward to playing them this go round.”

Meridian (7-5) managed to slow down the high-powered Oak Grove offensive attack for most of the game, but a pair of screen passes that resulted in long touchdown plays kept the Warriors within striking distance.

Lenton said he is around 95 percent after playing sparingly in Meridian’s win over Forest Hill High School Nov. 5, and an increased role in the Wildcat’s 42-6 opening-round playoff win over Gulfport High School last week.

The University of Florida commit said he believes he could be the difference in limiting Oak Grove’s high-octane attack.

“I make sure that everyone else knows what they are doing (defensively),” Lenton said. “I think I bring senior experience and leadership. I know what is coming, and I know what to expect.”  

The Warriors (10-2) enter Friday’s showdown after beating Ocean Springs High School 31-20 last week. Oak Grove is led by a dynamic group of receivers, highlighted by University of California commit Jordan Duncan.

“They’re real athletic and they have a couple of good playmakers,” Meridian High senior Julius Turner said. “They’re a real good team.”

Meridian senior defensive lineman Raekwon said the Oak Grove offense is equally effective as its skilled players.

“They were really great at what they do,” Davis recalled. “Their whole blocking scheme was great, and they do good things on both sides of the ball. … It’s great we get to see them again. We’re trying to work as hard as we can in practice to make sure we’re ready.”

Oak Grove enters the game riding a three-game winning streak over Meridian, something that is very much on the minds of the Wildcat players.

“They’ve beaten us these past three years,” Turner said. “It’s exciting to get to play them again, and I think it will be a real good game — a real close game. I’m ready for it.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

“We’re really pumped up, but we’re going to go into it like any other game,” Lenton said. “We’re going to watch film and see how they’re looking, and we’re going to come out ready to play.

“We know if we play (to our capabilities), nobody can beat us.”