Two long-time division rivals will meet this week when Lake travels to Newton on Friday night.
The Tigers enter the game 0-8 while Lake is coming off its first loss of the season to Philadelphia (6-1).
But Lake coach Tate Hanna isn’t taking the Tigers lightly.
“Newton is going to do the things that people have hurt us with and that’s throwing the ball vertical,” Hanna said. “That really worries me. We had some blown assignments last week and just let some people run free in the secondary. We are going to have to clean that up on defense.”
Second-year Newton coach Zach Grady has a ton of respect for the Hornets.
“They are pretty good,” Grady said. “They have a good team and the quarterback knows how to get it done. He’s pretty scrappy and makes them go. It will be a tough assignment for our kids.”
Scott Central at Union
The Yellowjackets will now begin a three-game stretch that will determine their playoffs seeding.
The first of those three games is against Scott Central, the defending Class 2A champion. The Rebels (6-2) have losses to Taylorsville (32-12) and Philadelphia (24-14).
“They are the same old Scott Central,” Union coach Brad Breland said. “I know they are real athletic and very physical. I know it will be a big challenge.”
Hopefully our guys are ready to go take that next step. They are one of the teams that we have to compete with if we want to accomplish the rest of our goals.”
Last year, Scott Central beat Union 28-7 en route to a 15-1 regular season and the 2A state title.
NCA at Tri-County Academy
The Generals’ rugged non-division schedule continues this week as they travel to Flora to take on Tri-County Academy.
The Rebels are 7-1 on the season with a lone loss coming in week two to Riverfield 50-49. They have wins over Greenville Christian (37-12), Sylva Bay (41-21), Carroll Academy (8-6), Canton (42-0), Winston (41-20), Central Hinds (34-14) and Clinton Christian (35-0).
“They are a typical Tri-County team,” NCA coach Rob Roberts said. “They are big and can run it and throw it. They have a good quarterback and run all over the field on both sides of the football. They’ve only lost one game and have been really good. It will be a really tough game for us. But we played them tough last year.”
Last year, Tri-County won 17-13.
Newton County at Richland
A pair of teams on four-game losing streaks will meet on Friday night when Newton County travels to Richland.
The Rangers are 4-4 on the season with win over St. Andrew’s (26-13), New Orleans Home School (42-12), Madison St. Joseph (22-21) and McLaurin (35-21). They have lost four in a row to Pisgah (28-7), Choctaw Central (54-14), Northeast Jones (35-6) and Mendenhall (56-21).
“They will be well coached,” County coach Bobby Bass said. “They have done a good job with them this year. But I’m encouraged by how our team has responded to some adversity and hope we can get on the right track this week.”
