The path to a victory is not getting any easier for the Ruleville Central High Tigers.
After seeing their record fall to 1-3 following last Friday’s 24-6 loss to O’Bannon High of Greenville, the Tigers will travel to Itta Bena this Friday to take on a 3-1 Leflore County High squad.
This week’s 7 p.m. contest will pit Tigers against Tigers and the 2A member Leflore County squad is riding a three-game win streak following their 30-14 victory over Humphreys County High of Belzoni last Friday night.
As for their home-field loss to O’Bannon High last Friday, the Ruleville Central Tigers found the end zone only once as a second quarter 15-yard pass from Joseph Perez to Randarious Maxon helped avoid a shutout to the Green Wave defense.
Meanwhile, this week’s opponent, Leflore County, has thus far shrugged off a season-opening loss to Greenwood High by claiming victories over Amanda Elzy (56-0) and South Delta High of Rolling Fork (24-8).
Historically, while Ruleville Central and Leflore County have not played each other since 2014, the Tigers from Sunflower County own a 4-3 series advantage since the 2004 season.
Offensively last week, the Ruleville squad benefited from a breakout game by the sophomore quarterback Perez, who completed eight of 10 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Perez also paced the Tigers’ rushing attack by picking up 58 of Ruleville Central’s total 132 yards earned with his nine carries into the line.
Rodrickus Appleberry also completed four of his five passes for 53 yards while under center for the Tigers.
Defensively, the Tigers were led by Jabari Reed’s stellar 10 solo, three assist night of play.
Also posting significant numbers was sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Surney with his eight solo, three assist performance.
While Nathan Bells also turned in one solo and five assists, Samuel Clark added four solos and three assists to Jaquerious Patt’s five solo tackle game.
