news
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: WEEK SEVEN PREVIEWS
11 months ago | 866 views | 7 
| 2 
| 
| 
| 2 | |
DeShawn McGaughy leads IAHS with 545 yards rushing and eight TDs. (Thomas Wells)
Itawamba AHS (5-0) at North Pontotoc (5-0)
- This week: Two undefeated teams collide in Ecru tonight when Itawamba AHS, the Daily Journal’s third-ranked large school, takes on North Pontotoc.
- Recent history: Itawamba beat North Pontotoc 33-0 in 2006.
SCOUTING REPORT
- Itawamba AHS: The Indians are ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Class 4A statewide rankings. ... QB Maikhail Miller has completed 47 of 82 pass attempts for 707 yards, 6 TD passes and 1 INT. ... RB Deshawn McGaughy has rushed 58 times for 545 yards and 7 TDs. ... TE Dillon Mitchell has caught 16 passes for 307 yards and 5 TDs.
- North Pontotoc: QB Brandon Bailey has completed 53 of 103 passes for 679 yards, 5 TDs and 5 INTs. ... RB Joe Robbins has rushed 89 times for 436 yards and 5 TDs. ... WR Jeremy Berry has 23 rcceptions for 283 yards and 2 TDs. ... DL Bernard Strong had 4 sacks against Kossuth.
Pontotoc (5-0) at New Albany (4-2)
- This week: Pontotoc, the Journal’s fifth-ranked large school, takes its perfect record to New Albany to face a Bulldogs team that has won three consecutive games.
- Recent history: The last three meetings have been decided by eight points or less, with Pontotoc winning the last two: 21-20 last year and 29-26 in 2007. New Albany won the 2006 meeting 20-12.
SCOUTING REPORT
- Pontotoc: The Warriors have outscored their opponents 136-40. ... QB Canden Dallas has completed 40 of 74 passes for 688 yards and 9 TDs. ... RB Randall Crayton has rushed 77 times for 560 yards and 5 TDs. He had a 67-yard TD reception vs. Amory last week. ... WR Ryan Thompson has 11 catches for 244 yards and 3 TDs.
- New Albany: QB Tyler Basil has completed 42 of 87 passes for 700 yards, 6 TDs and 5 INTs. ... RB Kareem Brown has rushed 80 times for 571 yards and 6 TDs. He also has 15 catches for 225 yards and 1 TD. ... RB Eric Johnson has rushed 90 times for 565 yards and 5 TDs. ... WR Taylor Goode has 11 catches for 237 yards and 4 TDs.
Ripley (2-3) at Corinth (2-3)
- This week: The winner of this game has gone on to win the division for the past 10 years. The teams are playing at Corinth High School for the second year in a row. Ripley is ranked third in the Journal's Class 3A rankings, while Corinth is fifth.
- Recent history: Ripley has won two of the last three, but it was the Warriors who emerged with a 52-34 victory in last year’s meeting. The Tigers hold a 14-13 advantage in the series that originated in 1936.
SCOUTING REPORT
- Ripley: The Tigers rushed for 280 of their 356 total yards last week against Baldwyn. ... Ripley's rushing attack certainly got a boost when Rashid March returned from injury. He rushed for 93 yards and 1 TD on 17 carries against Baldwyn. His season totals are 61 rushes for 349 yards and 6 TDs. ... The Tigers are averaging 29.6 points per game, while giving up 23.2.
- Corinth: The Warriors’ 19-0 win against Tishomingo County last week was the 150th career victory for head coach Jimmy Mitchell. He is 150-61 in 18 seasons and 104-38 during his Corinth tenure. ... DB Diante Curlee returned a pass interception 103 yards for a TD against Tishomingo County. ... The Warriors are averaging 19.2 points per game, while surrendering 27.2.
Shannon (5-0) at Tishomingo County (2-3)
- This week: Shannon, the Journal's top-ranked large school, opens up division play against a Tishomingo County team that has struggled of late.
- Recent history: Shannon has won three straight over the Braves by an average margin of 26.3 points.
SCOUTING REPORT
- Shannon: QB Legilbert Bogan has completed 26 of 66 attempts for 596 yards, 7 TDs and 3 INTs. ... RB Keon McGaughy has 118 carries for 912 yards (182.4 per game) and 12 TDs. ... WR Chris Davis has 10 catches for 221 yards and 4 TDs.
- Tishomingo County: The Braves were shut out 19-0 by Corinth two weeks ago. Shannon beat Corinth 35-7 the week before. ... The Braves have been outscored 105-79 this year.
South Pontotoc (3-3) at Mooreville (5-1)
- This week: Both of these teams have struggled the past three seasons, and Mooreville has joined Division 2-3A this season from Division 1-3A.
- Recent history: Haven’t played the last three seasons.
SCOUTING REPORT
- South Pontotoc: QB Wesley Barefield has completed 40 of 89 pass attempts for 509 yards, 2 TDs and 3 INTs. ... RB Monte Love has 77 carries for 347 yards and 7 TDs. ... WR Matthew Berry has 10 catches for 150 yards and 1 TD. ... WR Matt Adams has 10 catches for 178 yards and 1 TD.
- Mooreville: QB Griff Loftis is 24 of 54 passing for no TDs and 3 INTs. ... RB Gary Johnson has carried 52 times for 308 yards and 5 TDs. He rushed for 173 yards and scored twice in the Troopers’ 17-13 win last week against Kossuth. ... Team has won five straight since season-opening loss to Saltillo.
Starkville (1-4, 1-0 1-6A) at Tupelo (1-3, 1-0 1-6A)
- This week: Tonight’s Division 1-6A game against the visiting Yellowjackets is only the second home contest of the season for the Golden Wave. Both teams are 1-0 in the division after wins last week – Tupelo beat Columbus 10-6; Starkville defeated DeSoto Central 9-3.
- Recent history: Tupelo has won three straight games in the series, including last year’s 28-0 decision in Starkville. The Jackets’ last win, 25-17, came in 2005.
SCOUTING REPORT
- Tupelo: DE P.J. Jones (ankle) is expected to miss his second consecutive game. ... LB Chris Donald had 10 solo tackles, four assisted stops and two sacks against Columbus. ... RB McKenzie Tyler leads the team with 233 yards rushing on 66 carries. ... Look for the Wave to get sophomore WR Matt MacIntosh more involved in the offensive game plan. He rushed for 64 yards against Columbus.
- Starkville: Star WR Chuck Tillery, who has been sidelined all season with a fractured bone in his leg, could return to the field this week. Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Miami and Arkansas State are a few of the schools seeking his services. ... QB Jaquez Johnson completed 6 of 13 passes for 81 yards and added 41 yards rushing in win against DeSoto Central.
Vardaman (3-1, 1-0 1-1A) at Smithville (4-0, 1-0 1-1A)
- This week: The battle for third place in the Journal’s small school rankings – and perhaps even more – is on the line in this Division 1-4A matchup. Vardaman currently holds onto the third spot, with its only loss coming to second-ranked Calhoun City. Smithville is ranked fourth.
- Recent history: Vardaman has swept the last three meetings, outscoring Smithville 93-20.
SCOUTING REPORT
- Vardaman: The Associated Press ranked the Rams fifth in the state’s 1A classification. ... QB Austin Spann has completed 31 of 62 passes for 302 yards and 2 TDs. ... RB Willie Lee has 69 carries for 415 yards and 2 TDs. ... WR Donta Walker has 6 catches for 187 yards and 1 TD. ... The Rams have outscored their opponents 72-43 this season.
- Smithville: The AP has ranked the Seminoles fourth in the state’s 1A classification. ... QB Antwune Freeman has completed 11 of 29 passes for 219 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT. He has carried 60 times for 463 yards and 8 TDs. ... RB Datrune Freeman has rushed 58 times for 438 yards and 3 TDs. ... The Seminoles have outscored their opponents 101-25.
West Point (4-1, 1-0 1-5A) at New Hope (4-0, 1-0)
- This week: West Point, the Journal’s second-ranked large school, has been on a roll, winning four straight since losing to top-ranked Shannon.
- Recent history: West Point has won the last two meetings: 21-12 last year and 36-6 in 2007.
SCOUTING REPORT
- West Point: The Green Wave is ranked third in Class 5A by the Associated Press. ... RB Xavier Hogan sat out last week’s game against Gentry with an injury.
- New Hope: The Associated Press has the Trojans ranked fourth in 5A. ... QB Zak Thrasher is averaging close to 100 yards passing per game. ... RB Terrance Dentry, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, is averaging close to 90 yards per game rushing.
Compiled by John Wilbert and Gene Phelps
Pontotoc 35 New Albany 28
Corinth 28 Ripley 21
Shannon 35 Tish Co 7
Mooreville 21 S. Pontotoc 14
Starkville 21 Tupelo 10
Smithville 21 Vardaman 14
New Hope 28 West Point 22
Warriors 35 Bulldogs 7
Tigers 35 Warriors 28
Raiders 28 Braves 7
Troopers 28 Cougars 21
Wave 14 Yellowjackets 7
Trojans 27 Wave 26