With one final football game to be played prior to beginning the all-important Region 3-4A portion of their schedule, the now 3-2 Gentry High Rams will be traveling this Friday to do battle with a 4-1 Leflore County High squad.
In this upcoming second of three consecutive road trips, kickoff in Itta Bena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
This week’s game follows a Rams outing last Friday night when they rebounded back into the win column with a solid 46-12 road victory over Humphreys County High in Belzoni.
“The offensive line responded to some changes we made”, said Gentry Head Coach Tavares Johnson, “they came off the ball and helped establish the run game which opened up our passing game.”
Displaying a well-balanced offensive attack in Friday’s game, the Rams rushed 35 times for 297 yards against the Cowboys’ defense while another 119 yards were gained through the air.
Meanwhile, last Friday night the 2A member Leflore County High Tigers extended their winning streak to four games with a 46-20 decision over Ruleville Central High School.
“Leflore County is a good, over-all team,” Johnson said. “They have a balanced offensive attack and fly to the ball on defense.”
Since their season-opening loss to Greenwood High, who is currently ranked No. 5 in 4A, the Tigers have outscored their opponents by a 156-42 margin while picking up their victories.
In last season’s match-up with Leflore County, the Rams suffered a 15-12 loss as the Tigers were on their way to a 6-6 season which ended in the first round of the 2A playoffs.
Since 2011, Leflore County owns a 3-2 series advantage over the Rams.
As for last Friday night’s decision over Humphreys County, the Rams used their rushing game, their defense, and special teams to help accumulate points.
Erupting to a 26-6 halftime score, it would be running back Jatavius Whitley’s two yard TD run which began the scoring for the Rams.
This was followed by a Sharmarvious Hodges pass interception which the junior defensive back returned 70 yards for the score to give the Rams a 12-6 lead after one period of play.
In the second quarter, the Cowboys were rendered scoreless while the Rams posted two more touchdowns on the scoreboard.
The first score came by way of Whitley’s second touchdown of the night, a nine-yard run to the end zone while junior quarterback Joshujuan Townsend later scampered in from 18 yards out.
Townsend would find paydirt again in the third period with a 14 yard run to improve Gentry’s lead to a 34-6 margin by the end of that frame.
While Humphreys County finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter, the Rams responded with two touchdowns, a two yard run by Tyler Edwards and a 55 yard punt return by Armani Bell.
Offensively, the Rams’ strong rushing attack was led by Whitley’s 178 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries while Townsend added another 97 yards and pair of touchdowns with his 11 carries into the line.
Townsend also completed three of his 11 passes for 119 yards.
Wide receiver Reginald Bolden’s one catch garnered 84 of those yards while Kajarvus Williams’ two receptions added another 35 yards of offense.
Defensively, the Rams were led by Bell’s 9.5 tackles which included two sacks and three tackles for loss.
Also making his presence known was Xzavius Hutchins whose work in the defensive line netted seven tackles and a pair of sacks.
While Whitley also added one of four Gentry High pass interceptions to his four tackles and one sack, Hodges also completed his night’s play with five tackles in addition to his pass interception for a touchdown.
