The hope is a football victory will accompany the Homecoming celebration at Gentry High School this Friday night.
However, the task promises to not be an easy one.
After a 34-14 decision over Humphreys County High in Belzoni gave the now 1-3 Rams their initial victory of the young season, this week’s foe comes to town owning a perfect 3-0 record.
For it will the Northside High Gators of Shelby who will be on the field at 7 p.m. with hopes of ruining the Homecoming festivities of the fans in the stands.
According to Gentry Head Coach Mario Young, the Gators “like to run short passes and have numerous fast players on defense.”
A 2A member school, Northside High most recently earned an 18-0 victory over Amanda Elzy High of Greenwood last Friday night.
Impressively, this was not the Gators’ first shutout of the season as they have yet to give up a point this season.
Other victories include a 44-0 over Memphis Kingsbury and a 42-0 thrashing of Holly Springs High School.
As for last week’s victory over Humphreys County, Coach Young noted “After a slow start we played with more energy and as a team. It was good to see.”
In order to claim this win, the Rams had to overcome a 14-6 deficit after one period of play.
Key in making this victory happen was the shutout performance turned in by the Rams’ defense over the course of the final three periods of the game.
Gentry High’s initial score of the night came by way of a 41 yard pass from Joshujuan Townsend to Makelvi Hutchins.
However, the Rams took a permanent lead in the second quarter with a pair of touchdowns.
The first of which was earned by Townsend as he crashed over from five yards out. The second score of the quarter was scored by Jaquavius Williams, as the junior defensive back scooped up a fumble and raced 26 yards for the score.
A two point conversion run by Monchello Robinson was also earned and the Rams went to the dressing room owning a 20-14 halftime lead.
While the Gentry High defense continued its shutout performance in the second half, the Rams posted two more touchdowns on the scoreboard.
The first of which occurred in the third period when Townsend and Hutchins connected on another scoring pass; on this occasion covering 18 yards.
In the fourth quarter it was Townsend scoring on the ground again as he found the end zone form six yards out.
Armani Bell then took in the two point conversion attempt to conclude all scoring in the game.
Offensively, the Rams rushed 28 times in this contest and accumulated 215 yards.
Leading this ground game with nine carries for 73 yards was Tyler Edwards while Townsend was close behind with 64 yards earned on his eight rushes.
Through the air, Townsend completed seven of this 14 pass attempts for 180 yards and two touchdowns.
Leading all receivers was Hutchins, who pulled in five passes for 145 yards and the pair of touchdowns.
Defensively, the Rams were paced by Eric McGowan’s eight solo, four assist, one sack performance.
Also turning in a big night was Edwards, who registered eight solo tackles and five assists.
Completing the defensive leader list was John White with six solos, six assists and Armale Oneal with six solo tackles, five assists, and a fumble recovery.
