Published: October 02, 2008 10:25 am            

County roundup

By Rocky Higginbotham

sports editor

A brutal schedule continues this week for Northeast Lauderdale.

The Trojans, after another gut-wrenching loss last week in a 17-12 contest with West Jones, will hit the road to Wayne County Friday for a showdown with the state's No. 1 ranked Class 4A team.

Northeast is 1-4 on the season, but the Trojans' four losses have come to teams with a combined 16-4 record.

And, unless Steve Nelson's bunch can pull an upset Friday, that statistic could become even more impressive. Wayne County is 5-0 thus far, with last week's 24-3 win over defending Class 4A state champ Laurel serving as the War Eagles' closest game.

Northeast did pull the upset last year, knocking off Wayne County 17-13 in one of three single-digit losses which kept the War Eagles out of the playoffs.

The Trojans rely on elusive quarterback Marquez Hopson and fullback Tracy Hill, among others, while the three-headed offensive monster of quarterbacks Calvin McDougle and Demarcus Henderson and slotback Tracy Lampley key Wayne County.

Lampley, Shaurice Cunningham and Malik Lofton are the top targets for McDougle and Henderson — while Jamaine McDougle and Willie Daniels key the Wayne County defense.

Taylorsville at Clarkdale

Speaking of tough schedules, things certainly don't get any easier for coach Jud Gartman's Bulldogs this week.

Clarkdale, which slipped to 1-4 on the year with a 26-6 setback at Class 3A Carthage last week, will entertain the state's No. 1 ranked Class 2A team Friday when they host Taylorsville.

The Tartars are 5-0 overall after beating Class 4A Forest Hill 34-13 last week. Taylorsville also owns wins over a trio of Class 3A teams: Raleigh, Morton and Heidelberg.

Do-everything wide receiver and kick returner Billy Hamilton — considered the state's top three-sport athlete by many — leads the Tartars as does quarterback Dominique Sullivan.

Clarkdale, meanwhile, relies on running back Eric Houston.

Last year, the Tartars beat the Bulldogs 35-6.

West Lauderdale at Caledonia

The Knights will try to move to 2-0 in Region 4-4A action when they travel to Lowndes County to take on the Confederates.

West is 3-2 overall after opening region play with a 40-36 win over Neshoba Central last week. Quarterback Nate Hodges, running back Darius Wren and fullback Joseph Grubb will look to key the Knights' attack.

Caledonia, meanwhile, is 1-4 thus far. The Confederates opened the season with a 14-12 win over Hamilton, but have dropped four in a row and been outscored 190-36.

In fact, Caledonia has surrendered at least 37 points in all four of those games, including last week's 47-7 loss to Kosciusko.

Last year, the Knights beat the Confederates 34-20.

Lamar at Jackson Academy

The road show continues for coach Mac Barnes and the Raiders this week, as Lamar will travel for the fifth time in seven contests.

It hasn't bothered the Raiders much thus far, as Lamar is 4-0 in road contests and 5-1 overall after winning 34-0 over homestanding Presbyterian Christian last week. Barnes' bunch is 3-1 in the District 2-AAA race, with quarterback Witt Haggard and receiver Robert Coffin leading the offensive attack.

JA, meanwhile, is 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the district while playing a brutal schedule. Coach Joey Hawkins' team lost to No. 1 Jackson Prep (21-14) in its season-opener, fell to Magnolia Heights and dropped a 10-9 decision to Pillow Academy last week.

Last year, Lamar beat JA in a 37-34 barnburner.

Russell at Kemper Academy

Russell Christian Academy pays a visit to DeKalb Friday in a key matchup in the MPSA 8-man league.

RCA has won back-to-back games to even its record at 3-3, rolling up a 56-24 victory over Ben's Ford (La.) Christian last week.

The Warriors got 376 yards of offense from quarterback Courtney Cunningham in that win, and he accounted for three touchdowns. Preston Meadows also ran for 111 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries.

Kemper, meanwhile, is the defending 8-man league champ and rolled over RCA in both meetings a year ago — 64-12 and 48-0.

The Rams are 4-1 after drubbing Mt. Salus last week. Kemper's only loss was a 20-12 setback to Ben's Ford.

Calvary at Calhoun Academy

The Cougars, meanwhile, will be going for their fifth straight win in 8-man action when they travel Calhoun City to face CA's Cougars.

Calvary is 4-2 on the year, hammering Collegiate Christian 66-18 last week. Coach Kirby Newell's team is averaging 52 points per game and has scored at least 54 points in every game during their current winning streak.

Quarterback Kyle Koch topped the 1,000-yard mark last week and has now completed 52-of-98 passes for 1,009 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season. He's also the team's leading rusher with 863 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Mo Dale's 111 tackles and six sacks leads Calvary's defense.

Calhoun is 0-5 on the year and has been outscored 174-34 this season.

        

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