New Brookhaven Academy head football coach Bo Milton will sendhis Cougars against the visiting Silliman Institute Wildcats Fridaynight in the season opener for both private schools across thestate.

Copiah Academy opens its season hosting AA State Champ SimpsonCounty, Bowling Green (La.) invades Parklane and Sylva Bay is atUnion. The games kick off at 7 p.m.

“We are doing pretty good,” said Milton about this week’spractice. “We scrimmaged in a jamboree last week at ColumbiaAcademy. We did OK. We lost to Wayne Academy and beatColumbia.”

Milton says Silliman has a lot of starters back on this year’steam.

“Silliman is a good football team,” explained Milton. “They haveseveral starters back. Their quarterback and fullback are back.They have several starting linemen, a receiver and a tight end areback.”

“We need to play football and score more points than they do,”said Milton.

Milton announced his starting lineup on offense. Price Sessums(5-9, 165, sr.) is the quarterback. Bradley Allred (6-2, 220, sr.)is at fullback. Tailback is Corey Dickerson (6-1, 190, jr.). KeithFranklin (5-9, 150, sr.) is at wide receiver. The center is SawyerSmith (6-0, 250, sr.). Kolby Byrd (5-11, 220, soph.) is at tightend. Wingback is Matt Rushing (5-9, 150, sr.). Working at split endis Seth Cliburne (5-11, 155, jr.). The right tackle is CalebCovington (5-10, 2300, soph.). At right guard is Russ Thames (6-0,190, sr.) and at left guard is Brandon Smith (6-1, 205, sr.). Theleft tackle is Patrick Wallace (6-3, 250, jr.).

Dickerson will punt and kick for the Cougars.

Milton said most of his starters on offense would be working ondefense as well. Stephen Cooksey is the defensive coach.

Last year Silliman outscored the Cougars 33-32.

Copiah head football Mitch Mitchell is veryfamiliar with Simpson Academy, having lost a 14-7 decision to3-time state champion Simpson in the state AA finals lastDecember.

“Simpson had a pretty good group of seniors,” stated Mitchell.”They have 16 seniors back this year. They ran the Wing-T lastyear. They aren’t going to change a lot.”

Mitchell watched Simpson in a jamboree last week and wasimpressed with the Cougars.

“Tailback Lott Warren looked good in the jamboree,” statedMitchell. “He’s a big kid with good speed. Their whole offensiveline is a good group.

“It’s our first game,” continued Mitchell. “We want to do thingswe have been working on. We have to block and tackle. Do the basicfundamentals well.”

Mitchell announced his starting lineup for Friday’s contest.

Starting for Copiah at quarterback is Daniel Sims (5-9, 150,jr.). At fullback is Jake Guess (6-3, 221, sr.). The tailback isBennett Wilson (5-9, 140, sr.). Receivers are Timothy Hallman (5-9,157, jr.) and Hunter Greer (6-2, 161, jr.). The tight end isMatthew Wright (5-10, 190, jr.). At center is Dustin Merchant (6-0,188, jr.). The left guard is John Allen Different (6-1, 244, sr.).At right guard is Kent Miller (6-1, 194, sr.). The left tackle isCody Wright (6-3, 251, sr.) and right tackle is Brice Sharp (6-2,278, jr.).

The Colonel defense features Miller and Merchant at defensiveend. The linebackers are Colter Pyron (6-0, 178, sr.), MatthewStewart (5-11, 194, sr.) and Guess. Preston Berry (5-9, 242, jr.),Cody Wright (6-3, 251, sr.) and Different work at tackle. Thesafety is Wilson. Cornerbacks are Matthew Wright & Greer.

The Colonels kicker is Richard Henley (5-9, 157, jr.). Guesswill do the punting.

Parklane is under the direction of veteran headcoach Charlie Newlon. Despite the loss of several top players tograduation, Newlon’s Pioneers hope to make a run at powerhousesJackson Prep (10-2) and Hillcrest Christian (9-4). Last year,Parklane was 6-3, finishing third behind District 2-AAA (Division1) champ Prep.

Parklane’s opponent is Bowling Green (6-3) formerly of theDistrict 4-AA. Bowling Green is now a member of the District 5-AA,joining Central Private School, Centreville Academy, Oak ForestAcademy and Silliman Institute.

Last season, Parklane pounded Bowling Green 31-6.

Union is under the direction of new head coachJohn Dickerson. The Georgetown-based Saints are members of theDistrict 4-A and were 1-8 last season. They open against Sylva-Bay(5-4), coached by Chad Odom.

Sylva Bay was a 40-7 winner over Union last year.