By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
July 18, 2003
The combination of AAAA and AAA teams in the MPSA produced a tough schedule for the Lamar Raiders football program last year and the Raiders are faced with the same schedule this season.
Lamar will again take biggest MPSA teams in the state, but according to coach Mac Barnes this season the team is even more prepared.
The Raiders battled through the tough schedule for a winning record last season. Lamar went 7-5 during the year and is returning 28 players from last year's team.
Along with upcoming sophomores and transfer students, the Raiders should dress out around 45 players this season.
The Raiders will be able to tell a lot about themselves in the first three weeks of the season.
They start the season by hosting two traditional football powers. Lamar starts the year with Wayne Academy on Aug. 22 and takes on Heidelberg Academy a week later.
The Raiders opened the year with a win over Wayne Academy last year and then gave Heidelberg Academy's its only loss of the season with a 95-yard pass reception and two interceptions in the final minutes.
Lamar will then travel to take on Jackson Prep on Sept. 5 in the first division game of the season.
The Raiders will not have to travel like they did last year, however. Last season Lamar had to travel to Natchez to take on Adams Christian and had to travel to Louisiana to take on Central Private.
This year, Adams Christian and Central Private will travel to Grey Cobb Field to take on the Raiders in Meridian.
The two teams are two of the most important division matchups for the Raiders. Copiah Academy is also one of the smaller four schools in the division. The four schools compete in their own playoffs, separate from the larger AAA schools.
Lamar will also take on Parklane and Hillcrest in the final weeks of the season. Both games are division matchups.
Last year, the Raiders beat Parklane and Hillcrest and both teams will be looking for revenge this season.
Lamar travels to McComb to take on Parklane Oct. 31 and host Hillcrest to close out the season.
All the games for Lamar begin at 7 p.m.