There finally appears to be some relief coming for the Ruleville Central High Tigers football team.
After playing back-to-back ranked teams the past two weeks, the Tigers will not only help their school celebrate Homecoming this Friday night, but will take the field against a winless opponent.
This Friday at 7 p.m. the now 2-6. 1-2 Tigers will take the field against the 0-9, 0-3 Amanda Elzy Panthers from Greenwood.
After dropping last week’s 38-7 decision to the Charleston High Tigers, who moved to 7-2, 3-0 and ranked No. 5 among all 3A schools, the Tigers will also attempt to secure a post season playoff berth with a win this week over the visiting Panthers.
In last week’s loss to Charleston High, the Tigers of Sunflower County fought and clawed the Tigers from Tallahatchie County for three quarters before seeing the game slip away.
Although only down by a 16-7 margin at halftime, the Ruleville Central squad’s first quarter touchdown was all to be had against the very good Charleston High defense.
That lone touchdown was earned when junior quarterback Rodrickus Appleberry broke loose on a 23-yard touchdown run. Jeremiah Surney’s PAT kick then gave Ruleville Central their final point of the night.
As for this week’s opponent, the Amanda Elzy Panthers are struggling on both sides of the football.
Having only scored nine touchdowns in their nine games played, the Panthers’ defense has compounded their problems by giving up a 36.2 per game scoring average.
Historically, since 2004 Ruleville Central’s two game win streak over the Amanda Elzy High has earned a 3-2 series advantage.
Last season, the Tigers claimed a 12-6 victory which added to the Panthers’ 1-9-1 record earned during that campaign.
Statistically, last Friday night against Charleston High School, the Tigers were limited to 71 total yards of offense.
On their own defensive side of the football, Ruleville was led by Jaban Reed’s six solo, six assist night of play.
Also producing healthy numbers was Surney with seven solos and two assists while Christopher Jenkins completed his night’s play with four solo tackles and three assists.
Rounding out the defensive leaders was Nathan Bell (3 solos, 4 assists) and Samuel Clark (four solos and one assist).
