By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
September 23, 2004
The Quitman High School Panthers renew an old rivalry Friday night when they pay a visit to Wayne County. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
This will be a Division 5-4A contest. The Panthers come in at 2-1. Wayne County, the defending 4-A State Champion, comes in at 4-0. The War Eagles are ranked No. 2 in the state and are coming off a 75-0 victory over Florence last week. Wayne County won last year's game, 35-0.
"We know how good they are," Quitman High coach Jimmy Don Holloman said. "But we aren't going to back down. They are in our division. We played them last year and we are looking forward to this game.
"It's a rivalry game. The way we are looking at it, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose."
Quitman's game with Newton County was canceled last week because of Hurricane Ivan.
This is not the same Wayne County team that went 13-1 last season and beat Oxford for the State Championship. Six starters return on defense from that team and only two on offense.
"We are young and still trying to find ourselves," said Wayne County coach Marcus Boyles. "We are still maturing and I am pleased with our progress."
Quitman's first order of business will be to find a way to move the ball against the talented Wayne County defense. Anchoring the War Eagles' defensive front is senior nose guard Jerrell Powe, a Division I-A prospect who comes in at 6-foot-3, 335 pounds. Other returning starters include linebackers Allen McGay, Brian Wilson and Brandon Jordan, and safeties Kennard Arrington and Carlo McDougle.
"They are very strong on defense," Holloman said. "Powe is good, there is no doubt about that. Last year, he knocked our center back into our quarterback and tackled them both.
"We've been studying films and seeing what they will give up. That's where we will concentrate of offense."
Quitman is basically a running team. Justin Holloman quarterbacks the Panthers with Randy Carter and Chris Williams handling the running back chores.
Sophomore Drexler Johnson starts at quarterback for Wayne County. Johnson became the starting quarterback for the War Eagles at the end of last season and handled the position through out the postseason. He is joined in the backfield by Arthur Everett, DeMarco Ray and Marcus Jones. Wayne County's top receiver is Kenneth Whigham.
"We probably throw the ball 20 times a game," said Boyles.
Though Wayne County has received plenty of state-wide attention, Boyles noted that the Quitman rivalry has deep roots.
"This series goes back to the old days of Waynesboro Central," said Boyles. "The borders of the counties connect, and some of our kids know there kids. We enjoy playing Quitman and look forward to the game."