By Staff
CUTTING THROUGH Meridian High School running back Cordae Campbell cuts in front of two Laurel defenders in the Wildcats' 14-7 last week at Ray Stadium. Meridian High travels to Ocean Springs to take on St. Martin at 7:30 p.m. today. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Sept. 19, 2003
The Meridian High School football team can't seem to play anything but close games this year.
The Wildcats (1-2) lost their first two games by a combined 13 points, before beating Laurel 14-7 last week for their first win.
Meridian's victory over Laurel was even more of a barn burner because the Wildcats had to score all of their points in the final quarter.
The Wildcats string of close games may come to an end tonight, as the squad travels to Ocean Springs to take on the St. Martin Yellowjackets (1-1).
St. Martin has tallied 59 points in its first two games, picking up a win over D'Iberville and losing to East Central.
contests. "They are going to put the ball in the air an estimated 30 times. They've got one phenomenal athlete in (running back) DeAndre Johnson."
Stanley said he was also impressed by the play of wide receivers Tarkan Weston and D.J. Jackson and fullback Winston Ceasear on film.
Along with a different offense, St. Martin will also be giving Meridian High a different looking defense.
The Yellowjackets employ numerous odd-man fronts on defense, usually playing in a 3-5 scheme.
Combating the new defensive looks will be sophomore quarterback Justin Baylor.
The 175-pound signal caller replaced Dominique Spinks, who started the first two games of the season, against Laurel.
Spinks moved back to the position he started every game at last year cornerback.
The switching around of quarterbacks was just one of the moves Meridian High has made since the start of the season.
Junior Anouk Jackson was moved from linebacker to flanker, and Jamie Hill was moved from linebacker to halfback.
As the Wildcats keeps moving forward and searching for an identity, Meridian High has found a powerful 1-2 punch in its offensive backfield.
Running backs Cordea Campbell and Cordera Eason combined for just over 200 yards of offense against Laurel, and Campbell, a senior, has rebounded from a tough junior campaign.
Meridian High kicks off against St. Martin at 7 :30 p.m. today.