By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Aug. 29, 2002
The Newton Tigers and Lake Hornets renew their fresh football rivalry when they open their 2002 seasons tonight at Lake's Death Valley. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Despite their close proximity, the two schools met last fall for the first time since Lake revived its program in 1963. Newton rolled to a 33-6 win on a rain-soaked E.L. Morgan Field at Newton.
The Tigers went on to finish the year with a 9-3 record under Brad Peterson, while Lake turned in a 6-5 mark.
The game will mark Ed Amis' debut as head coach of the Hornets.
Peterson will count on senior quarterback Laderrian Blaylock, junior tailback Travaone Evans, and junior fullback Cornelius Caraway.
Newton also returns four of its six offensive linemen.
Among the players Lake needs big things from this fall are LaDonovan Towner at tailback and Joseph Hunt at quarterback.
On the offensive line are 280-pound senior Josh McCann at center, 220-pound junior Leon Fountain and 185-pound senior Billy Wooten at the guards, and 195-pound senior Blake Hines and 260-pound senior Jarrod Street at the tackles.
The linebackers are 190-pound senior Willie Hickmon, 200-pound sophomore Marcus Ickom, 180-pound freshman Terrell Ricks, and 150-pound junior Calvin Patrick.
Peterson expects a big crowd, not just Newton and Lake folks, for the rare Thursday game.
Enterprise at Union
The Yellowjackets open their newly-remodeled stadium Friday as Jud Gartman's crew from Clarke County comes calling.
Enterprise has owned the series by a 16-4 margin including wins in each of the last four seasons. The Bulldogs posted a 27-8 victory in the 2001 game.
Enterprise is coming off a 6-5 season, while Union went 6-6 in 2001.
Forest at Newton County
These two have met nine times with Forest holding a commanding 7-2 lead in the series. However, the Cougars breezed to a 35-0 win in the 2001 season opener.
The Cougars return 17 starters from last season's 12-1 team with 19 seniors on the roster.
Key players on offense are tackles Reed Myers and Josh Yeager, fullback Ken Windham, wide receiver Delvion Merrell, guard Luke Castillo, tailback Darryl Mapp, and quarterback Colby Amis.
Leading the defense are tackles Derrick Cleveland and Michael Johnson, nose guard Josh Avant, linebackers Derek Mapp, Terrance Patrick, and David Fielder; and defensive backs Trellis Skinner, Kennard Johnson, and Dex McCune.
Calhoun at Newton County Academy
The Generals will host the Cougars Friday at Decatur when the two meet for only the third time. Calhoun won both previous meetings by shutout.
Both teams lost their openers last week and both were out of the running by halftime. NCA trailed Leake 40-12 and wound up losing by that same margin. Calhoun trailed Tunica Institute 28-0 at intermission before falling 34-0.
Against Leake, NCA's Dustin McGowin had nine carries for 61 yards with an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Lee Blackburn ran 11 times for 56 yards and one touchdown and completed 2-of-9 passes for 35 yards.