By By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
Saturday, December 2, 2000
CLINTON For South All-Star kicker Austin Holmes, it was a valiant effort, but the elements were just too much.
The Lamar School kicker spent the night digging low snaps out of the mud on punts and watching wet footballs get bobbled on holds.
He had a pair of two PATs blocked, as well as a 32-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter that would have inched the North margin to 20-15.
It wasn't all negative for the Raider kicker. He did boot five punts for a nice 42-yard average in the rain.
Another local player who made an impact was Heidelberg nose tackle David Kersh. Kersh lost a tight battle for North defensive MVP honors to Heritage's Andrew Wamble, but did force several fumbles. Kersh was quick to give credit to a team effort.
His Heidelberg Rebel teammate Matt Windham, who secured five tackles, heaped on more praise for Kersh.
Other local kids who contributed heavily were Winston's Wesley Wright and Kemper's Wade Whitaker. Two of Wright's carries directly preceded TD passes.
Wayne's Ryan McCaa also was in on several big defensive plays.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for the Meridian Star. Email him at rdark@meridianstar.com.