Only one thing is certain about this week’s Union and Newton County game and that’s the fact that one team is going to get its first win.
Union and Newton County come into the game with 0-3 records.
County coach Bobby Bass is also sure of something else.
“I know we are going to get their best game,” Bass said. “You can throw the record out the window, they don’t really matter this week. Their kids are going to play extremely hard and our kids are going to have to match that intensity.”
Union coach Jordan Wren said the Newton County defense impresses him.
“They are ferocious on defense,” Wren said. “They are so fast and very physical. It should be a good one. It’s a rivalry game and both teams are fighting to get that first win. I think both teams will play hard.”
Last year, Union won 49-45.
Choctaw Central at Lake
The Hornets will have their hands full again this week as they host unbeaten Choctaw Central.
The 3-0 Warriors have been one of the surprise teams in the state this season with wins over Union (41-34), Cherokee, N.C. (26-13) and Philadelphia (34-25).
“They are very fast and they are huge up front,” Lake coach Tate Hanna said. “They can throw it and have a really good athlete at quarterback. We have a lot of work ahead of us to try and figure out something we can do to slow them down. They are riding high and are pretty good. They can move the ball easily. I think we have to do a good job of moving the ball and shorting the game.”
Last year, Lake beat Choctaw 16-14.
Kemper at NCA Kemper
The Generals will be at home this week as they host old rival Kemper Academy on Friday for homecoming.
The Rams are 2-2 on the season with a forfeit win over Marvell and a 50-6 win over Hebron. Their losses are to Humphreys (40-0) and Columbus (16-12).
“There is a lot of stuff going on this week but hopefully we will keep working and building,” NCA coach Stevie Nelson said. “After a nice win, you try to come back and have some harder practices to keep their attention. Hopefully we will continue what we started last week and keep going.”
Last year, NCA won 69-30.
Sebastopol at Southeast Lauderdale
The Bobcats will try to bounce back from their first loss of the season as they travel to Meridian to take on Southeast Lauderdale on Thursday.
The Tigers are 1-2 on the season with their lone win coming over Richland (21-20) in week two. They have losses to Noxapater (35-7) and Northeast Lauderdale (37-7).
“They have athletes all over the field,” Sebastopol coach Keith Brown said. “They have a really good athlete that they will put at quarterback and do some runs with him. And then they will put him at receiver and running back. They move him around a lot. It’s a short week which could be a good thing for us. We have to be really focused this week. It’s out of our routine but I’m ready to play somebody and get this loss behind us. I want to see us get better and then play and get this bad taste out of my mouth.”
Last year, Sebastopol won 35-0.
Heidelberg at Newton
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers as they will host Heidelberg on Friday.
The Oilers are 2-1 on the season after suffering a 16-8 loss to Bay Springs last week. Heidelberg also has wins over Perry Central *56-12 and Quitman 14-8.
