By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
July 25, 2003
DECATUR Newton County Academy will have a new head football coach this fall. And the likeliest candidate is current headmaster Mike Tucker.
The Generals went 2-8 last year. Former head coach Brian Sims left NCA to become an assistant at Winston Academy, his alma mater. The Generals were 2-18 in Sims' two seasons and enter 2003 with a 96-210 all-time mark in 31 years of competition.
In the 2002 season, the Generals defeated Calhoun Academy and Central Academy.
NCA opens its 2003 season on Aug. 22 at home in Decatur against Leake Academy. Leake holds a 5-2 lead in the series.
The Generals travel to Calhoun on Aug. 29. NCA's 18-13 win last year trimmed Calhoun's series advantage to 2-1.
NCA goes to DeKalb on Sept. 5 to take on Kemper Academy in an Academy 3-A matchup. Kemper holds a 17-13 lead in the series.
NCA hosts defending Academy Class A state champion Heidelberg Academy on Sept. 12. Heidelberg has beaten the Generals in 24 of the previous 26 meetings.
The Generals visit Wayne Academy at Waynesboro on Sept. 19. Wayne holds a commanding 27-4 series advantage.
Sept. 26 finds NCA hosting Central. NCA leads that series 9-4.
NCA hosts Hebron Christian for homecoming on Oct. 3. The Eagles from Pheba won last year's first meeting between the two schools 43-6. The Generals go to Flowood to take on University Christian School on Oct. 10. UCS won last year's first meeting between the two by a 49-15 margin.
NCA heads to Louisville on Oct. 17 to face off with Winston. The Patriots hold an 18-3 series advantage following last year's 62-13 blowout win.
The Generals close out the regular season at home against Sylva-Bay Academy on Oct. 24. Sylva-Bay leads the series 22-9.
This fall could be more promising for the Generals.