While the weather may have washed away Gentry High School’s scheduled jamboree, Indianola Academy and North Sunflower Academy were able to get their preseason scrimmages completed.
For Indianola Academy, a move to Saturday at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale allowed the Colonels to come home with shutouts over Magnolia Heights of Senatobia and North Delta School of Batesville by scores of 6-0 and 12-0 respectively.
“We played well, tackled and blocked well, but the main thing is we came away healthy,” said IA head coach Tommy Nester.
As for this Friday’s season opening 7 p.m. visit to Legion Field by Pillow Academy of Greenwood, Coach Nester noted the challenge ahead.
“They have very talented skill players at quarterback, running back, and wide receivers,” said Nester. “We’ll have to be able to tackle in space and pick up their defensive stunts. They are a very good football team.”
Meanwhile, in anticipation of this Saturday’s 7 p.m. visit by Greenville High School, Gentry Head Coach Tavares Johnson said he is optimistic about his team’s chances..
“If we do what we practice, we should be okay,” Johnson said.
Gentry’s new head coach expects the 6A member Hornets “To bring an air raid offense and we will have to contain their quarterback’s arm and feet. They also have a running back who played linebacker last season and who will bring that mentality to the offensive backfield.”
As for the North Sunflower Academy Rebels, their trip to Marvell (Ark.) Academy last Friday netted a 6-6 jamboree decision against Delta Academy of Marks and a 12-8 victory over Calhoun Academy.
“Our offense looked really well but we need to work on our pass defense,” said NSA head coach Michael Ward.
The Rebels will open their 2017 season at 7 p.m. this Friday in St. Joseph, La. with their first ever meeting against the Tensas Academy Chiefs.
That same night at Ruleville Central High, new Tigers head coach Mario Lane will send his squad onto the field at 7 p.m. to take on Philadelphia High School.
