By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Nov. 1, 2001
One of the most enjoyable spectator games in the 2000 football season was the regular season finale when Carthage intercepted a two-point try in the end zone after time had run out to preserve a 34-33 win over West Lauderdale at Carthage.
If the rematch at Collinsville Friday night has anywhere near the level of excitement of last year's contest, don't forget to bring the nitroglycerin if you use it.
The game will determine which team finishes third in Region 5-3A. Both have secured playoff berths, but the loser will have to open next week at powerful Collins. The winner will go to either Forest, Velma Jackson, or Morton.
West and Carthage both enter the game with 3-2 records in 5-3A. West is 5-4 overall, while Carthage is 5-3. "It's big for us and I think it's pretty big for them," West head coach Stan McCain said. "We really want to get that No. 3 spot (from 5-3A) and go out with a win on our home field."
Carlessio Blanks had a field day in the Knights' 24-20 win over Southeast Lauderdale last week as he ran the ball 49 times for 356 yards and two touchdowns.
Carthage had last week off. In their last outing, Pete Lucovich's Tigers lost 28-12 at Newton County. Daniel Holleyman was 7-of-23 in that game for 145 yards. John Fortenberry caught four passes for 104 yards. Raymond Youngblood had three receptions for 41 yards and ran 15 times for 55 yards.
Leading the Tiger defense are Jerry Triplett, Chris Hamm, and Henry Towner.
During McCain's four full seasons at West, the Knights and Tigers have split four games evenly with an average of 63.5 points being scored in each of those games.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com or call him at 693-1551, ext. 3235.