For West Point High School, the task ahead is clear.
After two quality wins and a couple of hard-fought losses in non-region play, the Green Wave is turning their full attention to winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s Class 5A, Region 1 crown.
That quest begins Friday night when West Point plays host to Lake Cormorant in the region opener.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at McCallister Field in West Point.
“We have played some really good opponents this season,” West Point senior linebacker Mario Virges said. “I think we are ready for region play. We are looking forward to showing people what kind of team we have.”
Despite a 2-2 record, the Green Wave has played sensational defense. In a 12-10 loss to South Panola, West Point allowed four field goals. In last Friday night’s 6-0 loss to Noxubee County, the Green Wave allowed only 70 yards of total offense and only one big play — a 43-yard touchdown run by Noxubee County’s Darrell Robinson late in the second quarter.
“The job our defense has done this year has been outstanding,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “They have hit hard and they have made plays all over the field.
“We are really close to turning the corner on offense. Once we do that, we will be a complete team.”
West Point managed 134 yards of total offense but were turned away three times inside the Noxubee County red zone.
The typical ground-and-pound offense turned the trick in victories over rivals Columbus and Starkville.
West Point attempted 12 passes against Noxubee County, after only throwing 10 in its first three games combined.
“For us on offense, it is about execution and not turning the ball over,” Chambless said. “We have several different players who can make that one big play.
“We have to do a better job of getting them in that position.”
Lake Cormorant is 3-1 overall. The victories have come against Sheffield (27-6), Horn Lake (37-14) and Rosa Fort (40-20). The loss came against DeSoto Central (20-14).
West Point won last season’s meeting, 42-14.
Canton Academy (4-1, 2-0)
at Oak Hill Academy (3-2, 1-1)
Oak Hill Academy faces a huge test in Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AA, District 2 action.
Kickoff for the Raiders homecoming game is set for 7 p.m. Friday in West Point.
“This is our biggest game of the season so far,” Oak Hill first-year coach Daniel Merchant said. “As a team, we set the goal of making the playoffs. Since we are 1-1 in district play, this would be a very big win to get.”
After a winless 2011, Oak Hill has already turned heads with this season’s 3-2 start. Still, Merchant wanted to see how his kids would respond after back-to-back losses.
That two-game skid was halted with last Friday night’s 21-6 win over Winona Christian.
“This is a totally different team,” Merchant said. “Once they won some games, they got hungry to win more. Even though we had lost a couple, I thought we had the best week of practice we had all year last week.
“There is no doubt that carried over into the ballgame. The kids have won some games, so they believe they can win more.”
Against Winona, Jeb Stevens paced the offense with 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“We controlled the game in the second half,” Merchant said. “We really dominated at the line of scrimmage. Defensively, we were almost flawless.”
Drew Riley paced the defensive effort with two interceptions. Blake Henley also had an interception, while A.J. Iseley had a fumble recovery for the Raiders.
Canton has won three straight after a season-opening 7-0 loss at Tri-County Academy. Inside district play, the Panthers have knocked off Winston Academy (24-7) and Immanuel Christian (62-26).
Canton Academy won last season’s meeting, 40-0.
Central Academy (0-5)
at Hebron Christian (5-0)
The unbeaten Eagles resume a three-game homestanding by playing host to winless Central Academy.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Pheba.
“We are really pleased to have this stretch of games at home,” Hebron Christian coach David Foster said. “This team has really grown up a lot since the start of the season. We had a good game last week and hopefully that will carry over to this week.”
Hebron Christian celebrated homecoming with last Friday night’s 36-8 win over Mt. Salus.
Mt. Salus did not score until the final play of the game.
“The defense set the goal for a shutout,” Foster said. “We came mighty close. I think any coach would be happy with coming within one play of that goal.”
Offensively, Hebron Christian scored on its first three possessions and led 30-0 at halftime.
“There was a lot of emotion since it was our homecoming game,” Foster said. “We talked about starting fast. I wanted the kids to come out and execute from the very beginning. We have done a really good job of that.”
Quarterback Will-Corben Rogers had two rushing scores and added a 99-yard interception return for another touchdown. Taylor Coggins ran for 107 yards and added two more scores.
“Offensively, we are really becoming a balanced team,” Foster said. “The line has improved and we are doing things with more consistency. In eight-man football, the biggest thing is keeping possession and taking advantage of mistakes by the other team. You really have to score every opportunity you get.”
Defensively, Channing Tapley (12 tackles) and Ryan Moore (11 tackles) led the way for the Eagles.
Central Academy has opened the season with five straight losses. The Vikings have only scored two touchdowns.
The teams did not meet last season.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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