By By Austin Bishop/EMG regional sports director
August 24, 2003
Finally!
After all the work, and all the heat and all the bumps and bruises, Mississippi's public schools will kick off their football seasons this weekend.
Actually, that will come Thursday with more than a dozen games, including three involving area teams. The Alabama public and private schools also being their regular season Thursday and Friday.
Thursday's games have West Lauderdale hosting Clarkdale, Lake hosting Morton, Bay Springs hosting Stringer and Patrician Academy visiting Clarke Prep in an Alabama private school contest.
There are a host of games Friday, including Meridian playing host to Clinton and No. 1 ranked Wayne County High School paying a visit to Columbus High School.
The area prep football season officially kicked off Friday night with Mississippi Private School Association action.
The War Eagles of Wayne County, which won the MHSAA Class 5A State Championship in 2002, will be playing in Class 4A this season.
But once again, a championship is what coach Marcus Boyles' War Eagles have on their mind. The voters in The Associated Press poll must agree, as 10 of the 17 picked Wayne County No. 1 in the preseason poll.
But Boyles also knows that being noticed will help give opponents just one more reason to be motivated when they play his War Eagles.
Wayne County beat Vicksburg 28-13 in that game to kick off last year's 14-1 state championship run.
The Meridian High School Wildcats, under the direction of second-year head coach Ed Stanley, are looking to bounce back from a 3-8 campaign when they host Clinton High School at Ray Stadium for the 7:30 p.m. contest.
Other key area games this weekend have Northeast Lauderdale hosting Northwest Rankin, Southeast Lauderdale visiting Enterprise, Lamar School (which won its season-opener over Wayne Academy 35-12 on Friday) hosting Heidelberg Academy, Louisville under the direction of new coach Joe Gant visiting No. 5 Starkville, Newton High School hosting Forest and Choctaw County visiting Southern Choctaw.
Coaches and scorekeepers wishing to report the results of their games can call The Meridian Star at 693-1551, ext. 3235 or 1-800-232-2525, ext. 3235. They can also be sent in by fax at 485-1275 or by e-mail at sports@themeridianstar.com