By Staff
EYES UP FIELD Northeast Lauderdale quarterback Maurice Langston (7) finds a hole to run through in a game earlier this season. The Trojans take on Florence Friday on the road. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Sept. 25, 2003
Northeast Lauderdale is looking for a winning record for the first time this season as they travel to Florence on Friday night in its second division game of the season.
In other local action, Heidelberg visits Clarkdale, Southeast Lauderdale travels to Carthage, and Newton County is at West Lauderdale.
Northeast Lauderdale enters the game coming off a 14-7 win over Northeast Jones last week. Now 2-2 overall and 1-0 in division play, the Trojans can take a major step toward a playoff berth with a win over divisional opponent Florence.
The Eagles are 1-3, and if they are to pick up a win, they will have to improve on both sides of the ball. Florence has been shut out for two straight weeks, and the Eagles' last two opponents have posted more than 100 points. Florence lost 55-0 to Brandon on Sept. 12 and fell 56-0 to Wayne County last Friday.
With tough division games still remaining against Quitman, Wayne County, and West Jones, Nelson knows it is important that his team pick up a win on Friday.
SE Lauderdale at Carthage
Southeast Lauderdale head coach Dwane Taylor can see his Tigers finally coming together.
He can also see the team's window of opportunity closing, though.
Southeast Lauderdale is not getting desperate, but with the potential of an 0-2 start in division play, Taylor said his team feels a sense of urgency to keep the season from slipping away.
Carthage enters the game coming off their first win of the season, a 17-14 win over Morton, after losses to Eupora, Weir, and Lake. Carthage built a 17-7 lead in the second quarter against Morton before having to hold on for the win.
Meanwhile, Southeast Lauderdale has been hurt by giving up big plays to opposing offenses. Last week, they gave up a 90-yard touchdown pass to Forest in the fourth quarter. It turned out to be enough to hold off a late rally by the Tigers.
Heidelberg at Clarkdale
Heidelberg will try to extend its three-game winning streak on Friday when the Oilers travel to Clarkdale to take on the winless Bulldogs.
Heidelberg, which lost its first game to Quitman on Aug. 29 but is now 3-1, is averaging 31 points per game during its winning streak.
Aiding Heidelberg over the past few weeks has been an improved running game. Keon Arrington has rushed for four touchdowns over the past two games, and Doug Ryans has run for three touchdowns during the winning streak.
Clarkdale's running game has been less effective, but the Bulldogs defense has been their downfall. On Friday, Clarkdale running back Cedric Burns ran for two first half touchdowns to help the Bulldogs build leads of 6-0 and 12-7 over Mercy Cross. The defense went on to give up 20 points in the second quarter, though, before Clarkdale eventually lost 33-12.
Now 0-4 on the year, the Bulldogs hope to pick up a win against the Oilers in the second of three straight home games before they play three of their last four on the road.
Newton County
at W. Lauderdale
Newton County hopes to become the first team in 11 quarters to score against West Lauderdale on Friday as the Cougars visit the Knights.
Newton County is 1-3 after a 21-7 loss to Quitman on Friday. In their three losses, the Cougars offense has scored a total of two touchdowns.
West Lauderdale's offense has improved over the last two weeks, helping the Knights to a 21-0 win over Enterprise on Sept. 12 and a 28-0 win against Choctaw Central last Friday. Their only defeat came Sept. 5 in a 7-6 loss against Philadelphia.