When the West Point High School football team is rolling well, the Green Wave tend to jump out early on their opponents.
It happened last week as West Point bounced back from consecutive losses to Lake Cormorant and Grenada to beat Columbus 47-14. Twenty-three Green Wave points came in the first quarter, and West Point kept the Falcons off the board entirely in the period.
Something similar happened last Nov. 1 as West Point outscored New Hope 33-3 in the first half en route to a 49-3 win, and another quick start in Friday’s game at New Hope could mean victory for the Green Wave (5-3).
The Trojans (2-6) employ what Chambless called a balanced offense led by junior quarterback Ty Crowell.
“He makes us go,” Tackett said. “He’s a really good football player. He’s grown up a lot this season from last season. If he has a good game, we probably will have a good game.”
On defense, according to Tackett, New Hope has lost players for various reasons throughout the season, resulting in playing time for plenty of different Trojans. Still, the defense has largely been effective, and West Point can’t take either New Hope unit lightly.
“We’ll have to be on our A game to get some stops and hold onto the ball on offense,” Chambless said.
Columbus (1-7) at Lafayette (6-2)
After two losses in a row, West Point had a great week of practice, then went out and crushed Columbus 47-14.
The Green Wave’s ability to bounce back — the team’s winning culture and stability — is what Falcons coach Joshua Pulphus, the former tight ends coach at West Point, aims to secure with his own program.
Columbus seems to be getting closer to that point, Pulphus said, despite a tough slate and a misleading win-loss mark.
“Our schedule’s been tough,” Pulphus said. “Our record doesn’t indicate how well we’ve played.”
He pointed out that the Falcons had competed for four quarters in every game they played before the past two, losses to Lake Cormorant and the aforementioned Green Wave.
That’s an improvement over last season, particularly Columbus’ home game at Lafayette. The Falcons held the lead until early in the third quarter, but the Commodores pulled away.
Friday’s game in Oxford — the Falcons’ seventh and final road game and just their ninth contest overall — will be a challenge again. Lafayette is led by quarterback Tyrus Carmichael-Williams and Mississippi State commit Brendan Toles, both excellent athletes. The Commodores also possess a fast, talented defensive line.
Nevertheless, it’s a good test for an improving program, and Pulphus is prepared for it.
“It’s going to be a tough game, tough task, but I’m so proud of my boys,” he said. “I’m just excited to get on the bus to go play them.”
Caledonia (3-4) at Itawamba Agricultural (4-3)
Coming off a 28-7 home win over South Pontotoc, Caledonia already has plenty of motivation to play well in Friday’s regular-season finale at Itawamba Agricultural in Fulton.
But with what’s at stake, coach Michael Kelly said, his team might have even more.
With a victory, Caledonia would be the No. 2 seed in Region 2-4A and would get to host a first-round playoff game for the first time in school history, facing either Leake Central or Choctaw Central.
“It’s a big-time football game for us with playoffs on the line, our seed and things of that nature, so I expect the kids to play hard and play well,” Kelly said. “Obviously, having a chance to play at home for another time would be a little bit extra motivation.”
That would mean beating an Itawamba team that edged Caledonia 57-36 last season. Kelly said Caledonia must run its option offense well and stop explosive plays to flip the script Friday against the Indians.
“They’ve got two or three good athletes they get the ball to that are able to score from anywhere on the field,” Kelly said.
Sophomore quarterback Ty Davis and junior wide receiver Tae Chandler fit that description, and Caledonia will have to stop them Friday to avoid going on the road to play West Lauderdale in the first round.
Columbus Christian Academy (1-9) at Humphreys Academy (8-2), MAIS Class 2A playoffs, first round
Despite a down year, Columbus Christian Academy earned the No. 12 seed in the 12-team MAIS Class 2A playoffs.
That means the Rams will face No. 5 Humphreys Academy on Friday in Belzoni.
The Rebels beat Columbus Christian 50-22 in their season opener Aug. 21.
The Rams’ lone win was Sept. 25 against Kemper Academy.
Hebron Christian vs. Delta Streets Academy at Mississippi Delta Community College, MAIS Class 2A playoffs
Hebron Christian, the No. 11 seed in the MAIS Class 2A playoffs, earned a date with Delta Streets Academy on Friday.
But Delta Streets, which is in Greenwood, doesn’t have a home field, so the game will be played at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead instead.
The Lions have won three of their past four games, including a 28-22 win over Humphreys on Oct. 16. They beat Columbus Christian 34-14 in Week 2.
Victory Christian Academy at Russell Christian Academy, CFA playoffs, first round
Victory Christian Academy will head to Meridian for a rematch with Russell Christian Academy in the first round of the Christian Football Association eight-man playoffs Friday.
The Eagles earned the No. 4 seed in a four-team playoff determined by tiebreakers.
Russell Christian beat Victory Christian 39-18 on Sept. 11 in Meridian.
Alabama: Pickens Academy (5-4) at Patrician Academy (7-1)
Pickens Academy (Alabama) wraps up its regular season with a road game at Patrician Academy (Alabama) on Friday in Butler, Alabama.
The Pirates snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Meadowview Christian (Alabama) last week and hope to close out the regular year with two straight.
But that won’t be easy against a Patrician team that hasn’t lost since Sept. 4.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.