By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Sept. 25, 2003
The Newton County Academy Generals will be seeking to keep their playoff hopes alive when they host Central Academy of Macon Friday night at Decatur. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
NCA has struggled the last two weeks, losing 42-6 to Heidelberg Academy and 41-8 to Wayne Academy. Those losses leave the Generals 1-2 in Academy 3-A and 2-3 overall.
Against Wayne, NCA lost two fumbles and threw three interceptions.
Central's Vikings knocked off Calhoun Academy 33-0 last week to improve to 3-2 overall. The Vikings are 1-1 in 3-A.
With Heidelberg and Wayne leading the conference, Central, NCA, Sylva-Bay, and Winston are all battling for the league's wild-card berth in the Class A playoffs.
We're looking forward to it," NCA head coach Mike Tucker said of Friday's showdown. "It ought to be a decent game.
Central's Seth Moore ran for 129 yards on 19 carries against Calhoun.
In the losses to Heidelberg and Wayne, NCA's only touchdown each week came on long kickoff returns by Dustin McGowin.
NCA holds a 9-4 series lead over Central. It's the only series among Academy 3-A members where the Generals have the upper hand.
Newton
at Kemper County
Newton got its first win of the season last week by knocking off Enterprise 26-6. Backup quarterback Montez Moore rushed for 66 yards and scored on runs of 53 and 7 yards.
Newton led 6-0 at halftime and scored three touchdowns in the second half.
This week finds the 1-3 Tigers looking to keep Kemper County winless when the two meet in Division 5-2A action at DeKalb.
Kemper County fell to 0-4 with a 28-6 loss to Thomastown last week.
Kemper County has given up 32.3 points per game. The Wildcats enter Friday's contest riding a seven-game losing streak.
Newton holds a 4-0 series advantage.
Pelahatchie
at Union
Union also found the win column for the first time last week, knocking off Edinburg 29-12 with Marcus Gill and Anthony Johnson both rushing for over 100 yards.
In hosting Pelahatchie for homecoming, the Yellowjackets will be trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. Union is 1-3 overall and in Region 3-1A, while Pelahatchie is 1-3 and 1-2.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
The teams have met three times previously with Union holding a 2-1 series edge.