By By Jimmy Boone / special to The Star
Aug. 29, 2003
Most schools end the season by playing their biggest rivals, but not in Choctaw County.
Choctaw County will travel to Silas to play Southern Choctaw on Friday night as the football season opens in West Alabama.
Southern Choctaw is the defending Class 2-A AHSAA state champion, and can lay claim to three championships in the last five years. A year ago Southern Choctaw defeated Choctaw County 21-8 at home.
This year, Choctaw County hopes to return the favor.
In other games involving teams from The Meridian Star's Alabama coverage area, Sumter County travels to Demopolis, South Choctaw Academy visits Mobile Christian, Sumter Academy visits Warrior and Livingston hosts Aliceville. Patrician played Clarke Prep on Thursday night.
Both teams Choctaw County and Southern Choctaw played jamboree games last week, and from the results, this year's game could prove to be full of explosive fireworks, or else be a defensive battle.
Choctaw County defeated McIntosh 45-8 while Southern Choctaw took a 38-6 win over Sumter County.
Choctaw County showed that they have the ability to score on big plays as Brad Ford scored on a 96-yard pass from Maurice Holcombe and Merrill Johnson ran 61-yards for another touchdown.
Dexter Leaverett added two touchdowns including a 30-yard pass from Holcombe and a 60-yard punt return.
Meanwhile, the stingy Choctaw County defense only allowed McIntosh to score one touchdown.
Choctaw County is rebounding from a 2-8 record, but hopes that having the experience gained from last year will help them find success in 2003.
Southern Choctaw enters the game hoping to add to a 14-game winning streak. The Indians also showed that they are capable of putting points on the board.
The Indians scored four rushing touchdowns and added a passing score.
Detric Causey ran 30-yards for one score and Cedric Foster raced 55-yards for another.
Sumter County at Demopolis
Sumter County High School will face a difficult opener as it travels to Demopolis tonight.
Demopolis is currently ranked 6th in the latest Class 4-A Alabama Sportswriters poll. Demopolis finished the 2002 season with a 13-1 record.
Stacey Watters has been hired to lead the Sumter County Wildcats.
Aliceville at Livingston
Livingston will open the year by hosting perpetual state power Aliceville. Livingston was 4-6 last year under first year head coach Scottie Jones.
The Cougars hope this year will be a turning point with a goal of a winning season and perhaps a playoff bid.
However, standing in the way is Aliceville, a team with two state championships in the last five years. Aliceville reached the second round of the playoffs while attaining an 8-4 record.
South Choctaw at Mobile Christian
South Choctaw Academy will have a long road trip to travel to Mobile to play at Mobile Christian.
South Choctaw Academy was 4-6 last year, while Mobile Christian was 5-5. Charlie Taylor will step in as head coach at SCA after serving as offensive coordinator last year.
Sumter Academy at Warrior
Sumter Academy will travel to Eutaw to play at Warrior Academy.
The Eagles did not play in a jamboree last week, feel like they are ready for the first game of the year.
Last year Warrior Academy reached the playoffs before losing to Jackson Academy in the first round.