Published: August 07, 2008 10:08 am            

State champs eager to get started

By Brandon Walker

assistant sports editor

As the countdown to football rolls on, perhaps a little clarification is needed.

Each day, The Meridian Star is counting down the days until the high school, with today marking 22 days before the 2008 season arrives.

That number refers to the countdown until Aug. 29, which will be the first night that all football-playing schools in the area will be on the field. For some area teams, however, the night circled on the calendar happens to be Aug. 22.

For schools affiliated with the MPSA, the 2008 season begins a week earlier than their MHSAA counterparts. So, today with our countdown at 22 and with Aug. 22 serving as opening day for area private school teams, we turn our attention to a local MPSA power.

For the Lamar School Raiders, the night of Aug. 22 could prove to be especially unique. Not only will it usher in a brand new football season, it will also be the first night that the Raiders take the field as the MPSA Class AAA, Division III State Champions.

The last time the Raiders walked off the field, they took a championship trophy with them after defeating Washington School at Mississippi College's Robinson-Hale Stadium last November.

This year, minus five All-State performers, the Raiders will look to begin a new championship quest. That journey will begin on the road this season, as Lamar opens their schedule at Class A power Wayne Academy.

Like their MPSA brethren, the Raiders have been at work for nearly two weeks on the practice field as they prepare to begin defense of their title.

How has practice been so far?

"Hot," remarked Lamar head coach Mac Barnes. "This heat is hard to deal with, but our kids came in with a great attitude and they've been practicing hard. I feel like we've gotten some good work done so far."

That will will be a necessity for Lamar's Raiders this year as they try to replace 12 seniors off of last season's championship edition. Despite the loss of a strong senior class, Barnes remains optimistic about his team.

"We have some talent here," Barnes said. "We return a great deal of experience on the offensive and defensive lines. I feel like we're as good there as we have been at this point of the season."

With his team geared up for the opener against Wayne Academy, Barnes knows his team must be prepared for a physical, well-coached opponent.

"They are a (Class) A team, but they might be the biggest team we face all year," Barnes said. They've got several linemen over 270 pounds and we don't have any. They'll try to line up and run right at us, so we'll have to be ready."

In addition to Lamar, a pair of other Lauderdale County MPSA teams will take the field on Aug. 22. Calvary Christian will open its second season of 8-Man football on the road at Tensas (La.) Academy while Russell Christian will stay home to host Christian Collegiate.



Meet the Raiders ...



Lamar School will host its "Meet the Raiders" night Friday at 7 p.m.

The 2008 edition of the Raiders' football team — as well as the junior-varsity football team, the varsity and junior-varsity cheerleaders, the varsity and junior-varsity dance team and the girls' soccer team — will all be introduced.

School officials said Lamar football season tickets will also be on sale during the event.

— Rocky Higginbotham

        

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