The 2019 football season began in huge fashion for the Gentry High Rams last Saturday when Ashton Stephens returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for the score.
However, in a contest played on a wet, sodden field, the Rams saw victory slip away from them as the game wore on.
When all was said and done, the Rams suffered a hard-fought 28-20 season-opening loss to the visiting Hornets of Greenville High School.
“We played well”, said Gentry Head Coach Mario Young. “Our offensive line did a great job and overall we did a great job for our first game.”
With that loss now behind them, the Rams must turn their attention to this Friday’s 7 p.m. Unity Bowl match-up against Thomas E. Edwards High School of Ruleville.
This road trip to the north end of Sunflower County will find the Rams taking on a team of Tigers which also dropped their season-opener last week.
The Tigers experienced their own frustrations as they allowed only one offensive touchdown to Tunica Rosa Fort High but came up on the short end of a 20-8 score.
Suffering both a returned fumble and a pass interception for a touchdown, the Tigers’ offensive efforts were then continually stymied by the Lions’ defense.
As for this Friday’s contest against Edwards High, a long and storied series continues between the Rams and the Tigers.
Last season, the Rams escaped with a thrilling 8-0 victory, a decision which gave Gentry High a two-game win streak over their non-divisional opponent. The Tigers rebounded from that loss to finish their 2018 campaign with a 6-4 record and a first round 3A playoff appearance.
The Rams also own a 12-3 series advantage over the Tigers since the 2004 season.
In last Friday’s loss to 6A member Greenville High School, the 4A member Rams began the game with Stephens’ kickoff return for a touchdown.
This score, coupled with a three yard scoring run and subsequent two point conversion by Armani Bell, enabled the Rams to own a 14-12 lead as the game entered the second quarter of the game.
However, this lead disappeared in the second period as the Hornets scored to take a 20-14 lead to the dressing room at halftime.
Following a scoreless third period, a long fourth quarter pass by the Hornets increased their lead to a 28-14 margin.
The Rams responded, however, within the final minute of the game when Joshujuan Townsend connected with wide receiver Xavius Lewis on a 48 yard touchdown strike.
Offensively in this game the Rams rushed 27 times for 234 yards against the Hornets’ defense.
Leading this effort was Bell, who accumulated 86 yards with his four carries.
Meanwhile, Townsend added another 64 yards of rushing yardage during his eight rushes into the line.
Through the air, Townsend completed four of his 11 pass attempts, an effort which picked up 106 yards of offense with one interception.
Leading the receiving corps was Lewis, whose two catches netted 70 yards and a touchdown.
Stephens also pulled in a pair of passes which picked up an additional 36 yards of offense.
Defensively, senior linebacker Tyler Edwards recorded eight solo tackles and three assists to lead the Gentry High resistance.
Contributing four solo tackles and two assists apiece during their night’s play were a pair of juniors in the form of defensive lineman John White and defensive end Armale Oneal.
Bell also turned in a big night on the defensive side of the ball from his linebacker position. The senior ended his night’s play by recording three solo tackles, four assists, two sacks, and two tackles for loss.