Newton County and first-year head coach Bobby Bass began the season in celebratory fashion. Not only did Bass receive his inaugural win as the Cougars’ head coach, but Newton County’s 21-13 win over Leake Central was its first since Sept. 15, 2017. Additionally, the Cougars’ season-opening win was the first since 2013, when they beat Neshoba Central 47-14.

Running back Marcus Wash led Newton County (1-0) offensively with 196 yards on 28 carries.

Newton County travels to Neshoba Central (1-0) on Friday.

Panthers run wild

Behind the efforts of a 200-yard rusher and a pair of 100-yard rushers, Quitman’s (1-0) offense erupted for 522 yards in Friday’s 34-6 win against Southeast Lauderdale. 

Quarterback Jed Lewis rushed for 221 yards and a touchdown, tailback Brandon Hicks dashed for 159 yards and three touchdowns and tailback Tydrekus Carpenter contributed with 129 yards and one touchdown. Carpenter also added a highlight-worthy running play when he bowled over a Southeast Lauderdale defender en route to a big gain.

Quitman’s defense did its part, too.

The Panthers’ defensive unit held Southeast Lauderdale to just 192 yards of total offense. Jacob Irby tallied a team-best seven tackles and two assists.

Quitman travels to Kemper County (0-1) on Friday.

Stout defense

West Lauderdale’s defense made a strong statement in the Knights’ 25-14 season-opening win against Greene County Friday, which avenged a 12-0 loss to the Wildcats in last year’s season opener. 

Cornerback Diante Bolton recorded two interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown — and three pass deflections. Linebacker Zach Walker added a fumble recovery, a team-high 17 tackles and three tackles for losses. Linebacker Jacob Feist tallied two tackles for losses.

West Lauderdale (1-0) hosts New Hope (0-1) on Friday. 

Airing it out 

Although Union (1-0) defeated Choctaw Central 43-35 Friday, the Warriors have to feel confident in the quarterback-wide receiver tandem of Andrew Sockey and Gerald Isom.

Sockey passed for 221 yards and two touchdowns, and Isom hauled in six receptions for 188 yards and two scores to finish the game with a 31.3 yards-per-catch average. 

After scoring just seven points through the first three quarter, Choctaw Central’s (0-1) offense posted 28 points in the final quarter.

Choctaw Central visits Cherokee (North Carolina) on Friday.

 

Same ol’ Hulin

 

Northeast Lauderdale quarterback Kam Hulin didn’t show any signs of rust from the long offseason, as he helped Trojans’ head coach John Douglass usher in his first win at his new school as Northeast Lauderdale (1-0) beat Kemper County 48-14.

Hulin was 10-of-14 for 134 yards and two touchdowns, and he rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns on six carries. 

Northeast Lauderdale travels to Enterprise-Clarke (0-1) on Friday. 

Loose grips 

Both Meridian and Lamar School saw leads evaporate in losses Friday. 

The Wildcats led visiting Tupelo 17-0 at halftime, and 24-7 with 2:10 left in the third quarter before ultimately falling 34-24.

The Raiders led Starkville Academy 20-14 with 8:29 left in the fourth quarter, but Starkville Academy scored a touchdown 3:24 remaining in the game to seal a 21-20 victory. 

Both team will regroup this week and try to get back in the win column.

Meridian (0-1) hosts Davidson (Alabama) on Friday, while Lamar (1-1) travels to Jackson Academy on Friday. 

Stats leaders

Rushing leaders

1. Jed Lewis (Quitman): 221 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries

 2. Marcus Wash (Newton County): 196 yards on 28 carries

3. Brandon Hicks (Quitman): 159 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries

4. Tyler Mathis (Neshoba Central): 157 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries

5. Kam Hulin (Northeast Lauderdale): 146 yards and three touchdowns on six carries

Passing leaders

1. Joseph Hutchinson (Lamar School): 26-41 for 254 yards and two touchdowns

2. Andrew Sockey (Choctaw  Central): 10-31 for 221 yards and two touchdowns

3. Caleb Taylor (Russell Christian Aca.): 6-12 for 160 yards and three touchdowns

4. Travis Ruttley (Southeast Lauderdale): 9-19 for 137 yards

5. Kam Hulin (Northeast Lauderdale): 10-14 for 134 yards and two touchdowns

Receiving leaders

1. Gerald Isom (Choctaw Central): 188 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions

2. Jared McMullen (Russell Christian Aca.): 159 yards and three touchdowns on five receptions

3. Jalan Houston (Kemper County): 86 yards and a touchdown on five receptions

4. Jacob Partridge (Lamar School): 84 yards and a touchdown on 10 receptions 

5. Jaquavis Spinks: (Northeast Lauderdale): 74 yards and two touchdowns on three receptions

Total tackles

1. Zach Walker (West Lauderdale): 17

2. Christian Spears (Neshoba Central): 13

3. Cameron Morris (Russell Christian): 12

4. Aaron Brinson (Russell Christian): 10

5. Colin Hunt (Neshoba Central): 10

Interceptions

1. Diante Bolton (West Lauderdale): 2

2. Jeremiah Hathorn (Neshoba Central): 1

3. Marcus Wash (Newton County): 1