Unbeaten Wesson Cobras invade Mize
Published 5:00 am Thursday, September 21, 2006
The undefeated Wesson Cobras put their 4-0 record on the lineFriday night when they visit Mize to meet the 2-2 Bulldogs in anon-division test. The game begins at 7:30 p.m.
In other area action, Franklin County is at South Pike, LawrenceCounty visits Port Gibson, Florence is at McComb, North Pikeinvades Tylertown, Hazlehurst is at Raymond and Bailey travels toCrystal Springs.
Wesson pounded McLaurin 26-0 last Friday while Mize recorded a34-18 victory over Loyd Star
“(Maurice) Ducksworth of Mize is a different style runner thanhis brother,”‘ said Wesson head coach Tommy Clopton. Ducksworth hasrushed the football 68 times for 697 yards and eight touchdowns.”He is a downhill runner between the tackles. He is a physical kid.He’ll be the best running back we have seen this year. They are allathletic. They are real physical. They get after you for 48minutes. They are not real flashy.
“It is a big game for our kids,” added Clopton. “It’s a greatenvironment at Mize. Everybody will be there. We hope we can goover there and perform and be 5-0 when we come home.”
The Cobras, ranked No. 1 in the SW Miss Poll, were directed tothe win over McLaurin by running back Otho Smith’s 11 carries for133 yards and a touchdown. Roy Williams followed with five carriesfor 90 yards and Ralph Brothern finished with 3 rushes for 82 yardsand two TDs.
On defense, Beau Wilson and Williams powered Wesson with 11tackles apiece. Making 10 stops was Will Turnbo.
Last year, Mize shut out Wesson 21-0.
Franklin County saw its winning streak endedlast Friday by Class 5A Natchez in a 41-35 loss. Coached by GradyMcCluskey, 3A Franklin County fell to 3-1 on the season. TheBulldogs are ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press Class 3A Top 20poll this week.
South Pike crushed North Pike 43-20 in Region 7-3A play lastweek and entertains Franklin County in Magnolia. The Eagles arecoached by Randall Huffman.
“South Pike is South Pike,” said McCluskey. “They are tradition.They are going to play football. They are young. We need to be ontop of our ball game. They don’t believe then can get beat on theirfield.
“They are coming around,” added McCluskey. “We know we have ourwork cut out. They are going to show up and play. We need to beready. They have a good quarterback and receiver. They are going totry and exploit our weakness just like we will do theirs. We betterstrap it on and be ready to play.”
In Franklin County’s loss to Natchez, Preston Griffith led therunning game with 13 carries for 131 yards and threetouchdowns.
On defense, Gary Rogers directed Franklin County with ninetackles and recovered a fumble.
Leading South Pike over North Pike with 114 yards and twotouchdowns was Owen Royal Jr. Eagle senior quarterback TravorriousMarsalis picked up 38 yards on 13 carries and had two scores of hisown.
South Pike clobbered Franklin County 44-0 last year.
Lawrence County enjoyed a Region 6-4A win overFlorence last week. Coach Mike Davis’ Cougars (2-2) invade PortGibson (0-4) for another division test.
Class 2A Hinds AHS whipped Port Gibson 29-0 last Friday.
In the victory over Florence, Lawrence County was sparked byIsaiah Ferdinand’s 16 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Last season’s matchup saw Lawrence County roll over Port Gibson33-16.
McComb nipped Brookhaven 31-28 last Friday in akey Region 6-4A test. Coach Randy Martin’s Tigers (3-1) prepares toentertain the Florence Eagles. McComb is ranked No. 9 in thisweek’s AP Class 4A Prep Poll.
The Tigers were powered by Demorious Stewart’s 23 carries for146 yards in the win over the Panthers. McComb quarterback AlonzoHarris completed 5 of 9 passes for 155 yards and rushed thefootball six times for 18 yards, including a pair oftouchdowns.
McComb defeated Florence 49-18 last year.
North Pike faces another tough district foe inthe Chiefs at Tylertown. Last Friday, Tylertown shut out WestMarion 31-0.
North Pike quarterback Keiron Johnson collected 116 yards andthrew for a touchdown. He also threw five interceptions.
In last season’s matchup, Tylertown thumped North Pike 19-6.
Hazlehurst prepares for a road trip at Region6-3A rival Raymond (1-3). Last Friday, Hazlehurst (2-1) fell toYazoo County by a score of 39-33 in overtime in a district matchup.Raymond suffered a tough 40-28 loss in district at the hands ofAmite county,
The Indians,defending Class 3A state football champs, are underfirst-year head coach Vernon Perry and are ranked No. 3 in thisweek’s AP Class 3A Prep Poll.
Last season, Hazlehurst put away Raymond 26-0.
Crystal Springs enjoyed a 34-18 Region 6-3A winover Richland last Friday. Coach David Virgil’s Tigers (2-1) getready for another district test in winless Jackson Bailey(0-4).
Last year, Jackson Bailey shut out Crystal Springs 24-0.