Two football teams looking for their first win of the season will square off tonight at North Sunflower Academy in Drew.
Visiting the NSA campus for a 7 p.m. kickoff today will be Calhoun Academy and both teams will be attempting to better the identical 0-2 records they currently possess.
In their most recent action played last Friday night on their home field, the Rebels suffered a 54-6 loss to undefeated (2-0) Humphreys Academy of Belzoni.
Meanwhile, that same night the Cougars from Calhoun City were across the Mississippi River in West Helena, Arkansas, taking on defending 2A state champion DeSoto School.
The Cougars suffered a 36-14 loss to the now 1-0 Thunderbirds.
One week prior, the Cougars, who are intent on improving last season’s 6-6 record, also opened their 2025 season with a 34-22 home-field loss to Deer Creek School of Arcola.
Tonight’s matchup at NSA is the first football game between the Division II-District 6 Cougars and the Division I-District 1 Rebels since the 2022 season.
History reveals that not only does NSA own a 22-10 series advantage over the team from Calhoun County, but the Rebels also own a three-game win streak over those Cougars.
In their loss to the visiting Humphreys Academy Rebels last Friday, the Rebels of Sunflower County ultimately found themselves down by a 40-0 margin at halftime.
That lead, built by the now 2-0 squad of Rebels from Humphreys County, was too large for the NSA squad to overcome and the game moved to its final 54-6 score.
However, the NSA offense spoiled the HA bid for a shutout in the fourth quarter.
This touchdown occurred when senior quarterback Grayson Barnett connected with freshman receiver Dylan Patterson on a 64-yard touchdown pass.
Barnett would finish the game under the center having completed three of his eight passes for 84 yards.
On the other side of the line of scrimmage, Barnett also paced the NSA defense with four tackles, which included one fourth-down stop.
Additionally, Lake Clem, Dawsyn Grantham and Omarion Williams recorded one tackle-for-loss apiece during the night’s play.
