Five out of the six area football teams will be in district play this week. Lake and Newton will tie up in a Highway 80 showdown while Newton County will host a rejuvenated Choctaw Central squad. Newton County Academy will make the long road trip to North Sunflower while Sebastopol will travel to Philadelphia. Union will step out of district play as they host 3A power Forest.
Lake at Newton
Lake will make the short road trip to Newton this week to take on the winless Tigers on Thursday night at E.L. Morgan Field.
Lake is now 3-3 on the season and won three of the last four after losing the first two games to open the season.
Meanwhile, Newton is 0-6 on the season and riding an 18-game losing streak.
“Any time we play newton, we will get their best effort,” Lake coach Tate Hanna said. “Our kids know their kids and it will be a good game. It’s just 12 miles up the road and every year we have played them since I have been here, they have played us their best game. We need to get out to a fast start and have to be 1-0 next week. It’s a Thursday game, a short week and fall break so that’s tough as well.”
Last year, Lake won 24-12.
Choctaw Central at Newton County
The Cougars will try to build on last year’s win as they host Choctaw Central in a key division matchup with major playoff implications.
The Warriors have enjoyed a revival of sorts as they stand 4-1 on the season. They have wins over Union (41-34), Cherokee (26-13), Philadelphia (34-25) an Lake (19-14). They lost two weeks ago to Bay Springs (26-20) and were off last week.
“They have the fastest kid in Class 4A playing quarterback now,” County coach Bobby Bass said. “He won the 100 meters in track last year and now they are snapping to to him every down so we will have to key on him. They will have speed at other spots on the field and present a lot of matchup problems. They will be big up front so we will have to be physical with them. It’s a big game for us.”
Last year, Newton County held on to take a 26-19 win.
NCA at North Sunflower
The Generals will hit the road this week for a long road trip to North Sunflower for another district contest.
North Sunflower enters the contest with a 1-6 record with their lone win coming over Marvell (38-8). They have losses to Tunica (46-0), Delta (30-6), Deer Creek (42-6), Lee, Ark. (26-14), Desoto (58-0), and Columbus (38-0).
“They are struggling with their numbers right now,” NCA coach Stevie Nelson said. “We just can’t overlook them and have a good week of practice. It’s a 400-miles road trip which is tough. We just have to take care of business and come out of there injury free.”
Forest at Union
The Yellowjackets will take a break from division play this week as they host Class 3A Forest.
The Bearcats are 6-0 on the season and have four shutouts. They have wins over Philadelphia (27-0), Newton (42-0), Clarkdale (49-0), Northeast Lauderdale (52-14), Scott Central (37-7) and Mendenhall (13-0).
“They are good again this year,” Union coach Jordan Wren said. “They are 6-0 and beat Mendenhall 13-0 last week. It’s a non-district game in the middle of district play and those are tough. Last year, they beat us 28-14 but lost three starters and then missed the playoffs. I don’t think he will let that happen again this year.”
Sebastopol at Philadelphia
The Bobcats will hit the road to take on one-win Philadelphia.
The Tornadoes opened division play last week with a 44-14 win over J.Z. George and played a rigorous non-district schedule. They have losses to Forest (27-0), Noxubee County (39-7), Choctaw Central (34-25), Bay Springs (28-26) and West Lauderdale (39-12).
“I have watched them some and I can tell you that they are a lot better than their record,” Sebastopol coach Keith Brown said. “They have played a rigorous schedule and have been battle tested. We will have our hands full, that’s for sure. We will have to come out and play good football.”
Last year, Sebastopol won 34-25.
