By By Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
Dec. 14, 2000
ALVA, Okla. Delta State University isn't the only team with Meridian Star area players in contention for a small-college national title.
When Northwestern Oklahoma State University takes on Gergetown, (Ky.) in Savannah, Tenn., this Saturday, it will not only be a face-off of two undefeated teams, it will be for the NAIA National crown.
And the Rangers (13-0), who roll into the contest on a 30-game winning streak and the top-ranked team in the country, boast a plethora of players from the Magnolia State, several of whom are from this area.
Former Quitman High standouts Charles McBride and Ernest Sterling are no strangers to winning titles.
The duo was on the 1999 Ranger squad that won the NAIA title. In addition to that, they spent two years in Ellisville together and were part of the Jones County Junior College team in 1998 that won the NJCAA National Title.
Both are pivotal cogs in the Ranger offensive machine, as McBride has stepped up in the playoffs, making his presence felt. In last week's semifinal blowout win, he scored on a 75-yard TD catch.
In a close 31-27 quarterfinal victory over MidAmerica Nazarene (KS.),the 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back scored on runs of 11 and 29 yards in the Ranger comeback win.
McBride, who has collected first-team honors in the Central States Football League, rushed for 171 yards in the game. He rushed for 165 yards and a TD in Northwestern's 40-13 opening-round win over Nebraska Wesleyan. Through 12 games, McBride has 1,007 yards on 122 carries.
Sterling, a two-year starter on the offensive line, has garnered a second-team CSFL nod.
Another area player is defensive back Edwin Moore, a 195-pound senior from Noxapater. Moore has picked off five passes and scored a touchdown through 12 games and recorded 31 tackles, included two for a loss.
Other Mississippi players include: LaRaven Moody DB 6-1 185 SR Beaumont; James Keys DL 6-0 245 JR from Collins; Shawn Hopkins DL 6-2 265 JR from Biloxi; Albert Robertson LB 6-2 230 JR from West Point and Larry Gillard OL 6- 290 SR from West Point.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for the Meridian Star. E-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.