By Staff
October 21, 2004
from combined reports
Meridian High is a running team, the stats don't lie.
The Wildcats have gained 2,535 offensive yards this season, with 1,964 coming via the running game and 571 through the air.
Though Meridian High's passing numbers are nearly a quarter less than its rushing, the Wildcats have learned to use their passing game effectively.
Facing fourth and 16 from Oak Grove's 24-yard line late in the second quarter last Friday, Wildcats quarterback Justin Baylor found wide receiver A.J. Brown wide open two yards short of the first down.
Baylor lined a pass to Brown, who turned up field for five more yards after the catch and a first down at the Warriors' five-yard line. Meridian High scored two plays after the fourth-down conversion to take a 14-7 lead.
Tony Krausz
Something's got to give when two of the best teams in the state meet Friday night at Jones Junior College before an expected crowd of 10,000. Second-ranked Wayne County and No. 3 West Jones are both 8-0 and have clinched playoff spots, and the rivals split a pair of games last year.
West Jones won the regular-season game 23-15 for the Region 5-4A title, but Wayne County won 15-14 in the semifinals last year en route to its second straight 4A state championship.
I don't know of many high school players who will ever have the opportunity to play in front of 10,000 fans,'' West Jones coach Scott Pierson said. It's the chance of a lifetime for the players and for us as coaches.''
Laurel Leader-Call
Archie Sims leads West Jones with more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns at running back and 62 tackles at linebacker. West Jones beat Quitman 21-7 last week, and clinches the region's top seed with a win.
Wayne County has four shutouts in its eight wins and is coming off a 12-0 win over Mendenhall in which the War Eagles failed to score an offensive touchdown.
Oak Grove has owned Meridian High on the football field the last three years.
The Warriors defeated the Wildcats in 2002 at Ray Stadium, and Oak Grove defeated Meridian High twice in 2003.
The Wildcats halted the Warriors' winning streak last Friday with a 35-21 win, and Oak Grove head coach Nevil Barr said the improvement of Meridian High's squad is easy to see.
Tony Krausz
Meridian High's slow-pitch softball team's season came to an end last Saturday, as the Lady Wildcats were eliminated from the postseason by Moss Point two games to one.
Meridian High closed out the season without two of its players unavailable for the entire series against Moss Point.
Brittany Simmons left the first game early with an ankle injury, and Tiffany Hickman injured her knee in the second game.
The Lady Wildcats, who won the District 5-5A regular season championship, finished the season with a 19-11 record.
Tony Krausz