By Staff
WILDCAT POWER Meridian fullback David Fielder hopes to power the Wildcats to a third straight win on Friday at Oak Grove. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Jeff Byrd/The Meridian Star
Nov. 1, 2001
For the first time this season, the Meridian Wildcats are enjoying a two-game winning streak. On Friday night, they will try to make it three straight when they visit Oak Grove in a key Region 2-5A game.
With a win at Oak Grove, followed by another next week against Hattiesburg, the Wildcats can secure the fourth and final playoff berth from Region 2-5A.
Both Oak Grove and Meridian stand 2-3 in the region, a game behind Hattiesburg and Hancock who are at 3-2. Hancock has the edge over Hattiesburg having beaten the Tigers this season.
For Meridian Coach Bill Sartin, the Wildcats recent play is all a matter of confidence. They jumped on Petal early and cruised to the 48-7 victory improving to 3-6 overall.
The Wildcats ended with two backs going over the 100-yard mark. Fred Patton had 150 and scored three touchdowns. Sophomore Cardae Campbell had 115 yards and two scores.
Dunn, who has a swollen spleen, is not expected to play. McNeil has the flu.
Another big boost for the Wildcat line has been the emergence of former senior quarterback John Hays Compton. Compton has been the Wildcats' starting left tackle for the past four weeks.
Sophomore quarterback Ken Mitts threw a touchdown pass to Jason Spinks and had another toss set up a second score.
The Wildcat special teams also had got in the act. Dante Baker ran the second half kickoff back 70 yards for a touchdown. Later, Quarious Hodges blocked a Petal punt with Leslie Rush scooping it up for the touchdown.
In Oak Grove, the Wildcats will have to contend with a good-scoring team that enters with a 4-5 record. The Warriors have averaged 22 points per game this season while allowing 18.9. They were involved in a 28-27 shootout with top-ranked Brandon in week six.
Meridian is led by Campbell and Patton who have combined to rush for 1,373 yards. Campbell has 778 with nine TDs and Patton has 595 and six scores.
The Wildcat defense is led by senior linebackers C.C. Finley and Lyndale Nailor.
Jeff Byrd is a sports writer for the Meridian Star. He can be reached at 693-1551 or by e-mail at jbyrd@themeridianstar.com.