When the North State Class 1A high school football playoffs start in two weeks, West Oktibbeha County High will be on the guest list.
However, don’t tell the Timberwolves.
“We clinched a playoff berth last week,” West Oktibbeha coach Adam Lowrey said. “However, we haven’t talked to our boys yet about that. We have two really big regular-season games left and a lot to play for.”
Perhaps the surprise team of Class 1A, Region 3, West Oktibbeha (7-2, 5-1 region) will put a five-game win streak on the line at 7 p.m. Friday in a rugged road test at region co-leader Noxapater (6-3, 6-0).
West Oktibbeha secured one of the region’s four playoff berths Friday with a 40-14 home win against East Oktibbeha. The victory was the fifth in a row for the Timberwolves against their county rivals.
“I was really proud of my kids for keeping their heads and taking care of business,” Lowrey said. “There was a lot of trash talk between the adults. The community really gets into this game. It was a hostile situation. We had some early misfires because everybody was playing tight. After the first quarter, we settled down and played really well.”
After a scoreless first quarter, the Timberwolves struck for four touchdowns in the second quarter. The defense helped set the tone by forcing three turnovers and recording four sacks.
East Oktibbeha finished with less than 100 yards of offense.
“The defense has come a long way in the last month,” Lowrey said. “It all starts on the defensive line. The progress they have made is tremendous. Friday night was that rare opportunity where we won a game with our defense.
“Credit goes to coach (Kevin) Cistrunk. He works with both the offensive line and the defensive line. Line play is why we have been able to run the ball so much better. The success of our defense has been the key to the turnaround in our season.”
The Timberwolves defensive line includes Sharrod Stafford, Johnny Chambers, Alex Chambers, Donovan Henderson, and Michael Graise. Cody Payne also has seen increased playing time. Tiberias Lampkin provides a spark at middle linebacker.
“We have done a great job of forcing turnovers during our win streak,” Lowrey said. “We don’t have many struggles on offense. However, when we do, it’s a good feeling to know the defense can make a big play to turn the momentum back in our favor.”
Von Smith threw for 212 yards and a touchdown and ran for 57 yards and two more scores against East Oktibbeha. Shun Fair ran for a team-high 92 yards and another score. Drake Powell caught a back-breaking 85-yard touchdown pass right before halftime.
West Oktibbeha built a14-0 lead and led 26-8 at halftime.
The challenge will be even greater Friday night. Noxapater is riding a six-game win streak — all in region play. It opened the season with non-region losses to Ackerman (36-33), Eupora (41-21), and Kemper County (57-21).
“If we win our final two games, we can be second in region and host a first-round playoff game,” Lowrey said. “Even though we have clinched (a playoff spot), and we are very happy about that, there is still a whole lot to play for. The next two weeks are really big. We need to continue to play well and finish strong.”
West Oktibbeha is in sole possession of third in the region, one game behind Nanih Waiya and Noxapater. Pelahatchie is 5-2, one-half game behind West Oktibbeha. West Oktibbeha will play host to Pelahatchie in the regular-season finale Nov. 3.
West Oktibbeha defeated Noxapapter last season 32-26.
Starkville Academy (9-1, 4-1) at Presbyterian Christian (7-3, 4-1)
The Volunteers wrapped up the Class AAA, District 2, Division II championship Friday with a hard-fought 18-7 win against East Rankin Academy at J.E. Logan Field.
Now Starkville Academy will try to claim a 10-win season in its regular-season and district finale at 7 p.m. Friday in Hattiesburg.
“There were not a lot of people around the state who thought Starkville Academy would be 9-1 at this point in time,” Starkville Academy coach Jeff Terrill said. “To win the district championship is quite an accomplishment. This group of players will always be remembered for that achievement.”
The Volunteers will play host to a first-round playoff game Nov. 4. A win there would place Starkville Academy in the Class 3A, Division II state championship game. The Volunteers last appeared in that contest in 2005 when they won the state championship.
“This is what you play for,” Terrill said. “You work hard all year to place yourself in this position. To go through undefeated in our side of the district is a satisfying feeling. It tells the team you have accomplished some goals. It also allows you to set higher goals and play even more important games.”
The Volunteers won all three games it played against Division II opponents in its district. The last of the three came against East Rankin.
“Both teams played very hard,” Terrill said. “Our defense did a great job. We held them to just over 100 yards of total offense. On offense, we had some good drives but we just couldn’t finish. A lot of the credit for that goes to East Rankin. Both teams played one whale of a defensive game.”
Starkville Academy rushed for 280 yards. Ryan Mann led the way with 119 yards and a touchdown. The senior has 1,063 rushing yards for the season. Quarterback Drew Pellum added a 64-yard rushing score.
East Rankin ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and led 7-5 at halftime.
Presbyterian Christian is riding a three-game win streak. Last week, it defeated Oak Forest Academy 34-6. PCS has secured a Class AAA playoff spot in Division I.
Nanih Waiya (7-2, 6-0) at East Oktibbeha (5-4, 3-3)
After being eliminated from postseason consideration, the Titans will play for pride when they play host to Class 1A, Region 3 co-leader Nanih Waiya at 7 p.m. Friday in Crawford.
East Oktibbeha slipped to fifth in the region Friday night with a 40-14 loss at county rival West Oktibbeha. The Titans still could work their way into a tie for one of the top four spots of the region. However, the tiebreaker process would leave the Titans out of the mix.
“We are having some struggles,” East Oktibbeha coach Randy Brooks said. “We just didn’t get it done. Somewhere along the way, making the playoffs became less of a priority for this team. I am disappointed in that we didn’t play better in the big games.”
The Titans were held to less than 100 yards of offense against the Timberwolves. East Oktibbeha also committed three turnovers. An 85-yard kickoff return by Terrence Rice brought East Oktibbeha within 14-8 midway through the second quarter. However, the Timberwolves scored twice more to build a 26-8 halftime lead.
“I am hoping this team will find a way to play hard the final two weeks,” Brooks said. “We have made too many mistakes the last couple of weeks to be successful against some of the better teams in our league.”
East Oktibbeha has been outscored 121-56 during its three-game losing streak.
Nanih Waiya is tied with Noxapater for the region lead. Those teams play next Thursday night in Nanih Waiya. The Warriors have won seven straight after opening the season with losses to Union (20-0) and Kemper County (36-35).
Nanih Waiya beat East Oktibbeha 47-6 last season.
East Oktibbeha will close the season next Thursday night at Weir.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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