By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Oct. 16, 2003
Things have been going well for the Newton County Academy Generals over the last three weeks, and that's something they hope will continue Friday night when they travel to Louisville to take on Winston Academy in an Academy 3-A matchup.
Two weeks ago, the Generals won their homecoming game with Hebron Christian to claim the school's 100th all-time victory since its program began in 1972.
And at 5-3 this fall, the Generals have two chances to secure their first winning season since 1996 and only their sixth in 32 years of competition.
Three straight wins over Central Academy, Hebron, and University Christian send the Generals to Louisville with a 101-213 all-time record.
Winston has dealt its fair share of misery to NCA over the years, leading the series 18-3 after a 62-13 mugging last year at Decatur.
While Winston is out of the playoff picture at 1-3 in 3-A and 2-6 overall, the Generals are still in the running for a wild-card berth with a 2-2 league record to go with the 5-3 overall mark.
Paul McMillin had six catches for 161 yards and kicked a 31-yard field goal in Winston's 31-17 loss at Starkville Academy last week.
Leading NCA are quarterback John Shellenback and running back Lee Blackburn, along with return men Sam Thames and Dustin McGowan and receiver Daniel Grimes.
One of Winston's assistant coaches is Brian Sims, who was 2-18 as head coach of the Generals in 2001 and 2002.
Louisville
at Pearl
Two of the top three teams in Division 4-4A meet in Pearl Friday as Louisville (3-0) takes on the 3-1 Pirates. Both teams are 5-2 overall.
Louisville spanked Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Northridge 42-7 last week.
Canton Academy
at Leake Academy
The Rebels and Panthers resume a series that dates back to 1972 when they meet for the 22nd time Friday at Madden. Leake holds a slim 11-10 advantage following last year's 49-15 rout of the Panthers at Canton.
Leake improved to 6-2 with a 34-6 rout of East Rankin Academy last week. Canton comes in 2-6 overall. In Academy 2-AA, Leake is still in the playoff hunt at 2-2, while Canton is 1-4.
Jeffery Chancellor rushed for 167 yards in Leake's win over ERA last week. For the year, he has 1,087 yards on 133 carries.
Choctaw Central
at Raleigh
The Warriors take a break from Division 5-3A wars this week when they travel to Raleigh for their first-ever meeting with the Lions.
Choctaw Central improved to 4-3 with a 16-13 win over Southeast Lauderdale last week.
Raleigh, a member of Division 6-3A, comes in with a 5-2 mark. The Lions are averaging 30.3 points per game.
East Holmes Academy
at Kemper Academy
Kemper snapped a five-game losing streak by beating Calhoun Academy 22-8 last week. The Rams host 4-3 East Holmes Friday at DeKalb.
The Rams and Raiders have clashed three times since 1998 with East Holmes holding a 2-1 edge after winning a 27-25 squeaker last year.
Edinburg
at Nanih Waiya
In Region 3-1A, Nanih Waiya looks to stay in the running for a playoff berth when the Warriors host winless Edinburg.
Nanih Waiya took a 25-20 non-region win over Kemper County last week. The Warriors are 3-3 in 3-1A and 4-3 overall.
Edinburg lost 24-16 to Pisgah to fall to 0-6 and 0-7.
Noxapater
at Pisgah
In another 3-1A contest, Noxapater (2-4 in 3-1A, 3-4 overall) travels to Pisgah (2-5, 2-5).
The Tigers lost 33-12 to Pelahatchie last week, while Pisgah was taking a 24-16 victory over Edinburg.