By By Jeff Byrd/The Meridian Star
Nov. 1, 2001
The biggest game of the season is finally here for the Heidelberg Academy Rebels and the Wayne Academy Jaguars.
On Friday, the academy ranks' top two Class A clubs meet for the Division 3-A championship.
The winner gets a home-field berth for the first round and could also own home-field advantage for a potential rematch for the south state title.
Last year, Heidelberg beat Wayne twice and that helped propel them to the Academy A State Championship last year in Clinton. The Rebels took last year's regular season meeting 7-6. They then beat the Jaguars 25-14 in the semifinals.
For Heidelberg Academy head coach Tom Lewis, the game-plan for the Rebels is simple: play your best.
Wayne Academy has rolled past nine straight opponents, by an average score of 30.3 to 10.1 per game. Last week they pounced on Central Macon 46-12.
Brown had a big game rushing for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Triggering the Jaguar power game is quarterback Steven Woods. The halfbacks are Cody Cochran and Jacob Ferguson.
Wayne coach Tom Bozur is equally impressed with Heidelberg. The Rebels are 8-1 with the lone loss being a 21-15 decision to AA power Simpson Academy.
Heidelberg features a balanced attack led by quarterback Josh Webb. Heath Ainsworth is a top threat both running and receiving. The Rebels are coming off a 39-6 win over Benton Academy last week.
A key to the club's progress has been the offensive line.
Leading the way has been senior tackle Joe Connor (6-3, 330). Guard Ferdie Pippen (5-11, 350) and Scott Maples (5-11, 260) are mainstays.
Last week, the Rebels got a lift from sophomore receiver Matt Andrews. Andrews blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to go with a TD pass reception.
Petal at Wayne County
Tailback Michael McLaughin will try to lead the War Eagles to a second place finish in the Region 2-5A standings with a win over Petal on Friday.
Last week, McLaughin rushed for 252 yards and scored five touchdowns.
Seminary at Enterprise
The Enterprise Bulldogs will seek to secure a Region 5-2A playoff berth on Friday when they host Seminary.
Enterprise is 5-4 on the season and 1-3 in the region. They are currently in a tie for fourth with Sumrall but the Bulldogs already own a win over the Bobcats this season.
The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Adam Simpson who threw for a 45-yard touchdown and then ran for a 22-yarder in last week's 34-19 loss to Bassfield.
Place-kicker Michael Swancey booted a pair of field goals (24, 37). Zeb McClain leads the defense.
Bay Springsat Bassfield
Bay Springs and Bassfield battle for second place and a home-field playoff game for the first round of the 2A playoffs next week.
Both teams are 7-2 overall and own 3-1 records in Region 5-2A. The losses have been to Taylorsville.
Bay Springs has the better defense having allowed just 68 points this season. Bassfield has given up 165. But they had a close call against Sumrall needing a 19-yard TD pass from Zack McCurdy to Devin Love to beat Sumrall 24-21.