Forced to put last Friday’s 38-0 Region 4-3A road loss to Greenwood High School behind them, the Gentry High Rams will now attempt to contribute a football victory to this week’s Homecoming celebration at their home field.
However, this will be no easy task for the 3-4, 0-1 Rams as Friday’s 7 p.m. regional game will be versus the 2-3 Lions of Tunica Rosa Fort High School.
Victims of a challenging schedule, the Lions’ three losses have come at the hands of a pair of undefeated and ranked Mississippi teams as well as an undefeated team from Tennessee.
It was a rugged trio of games which opened the season for Rosa Fort High beginning with a clash against now 6-0 Lausanne Collegiate School from Memphis (a 34-12 loss). This was followed by a hard-fought 20-13 decision to North Panola High of Sardis, who is currently the No. 1 ranked team in 3A football.
As if this was not enough, the Lions then played Cleveland Central High, who is ranked No. 4 in 5A football, and suffered a 44-6 loss.
However, since that time the Lions have regrouped to claim successive 32-22 victories over Coahoma AHS of Clarksdale and M.S. Palmer High of Marks prior to last week’s open date.
According to Gentry Head Coach Tavares Johnson, “Rosa Fort has a sound ball club. They have played a tough schedule and are much better than their record.”
As for last week’s loss to Greenwood High School, “Again we had a strong opening drive”, said the first-year Gentry coach, “and then we let the momentum get away from us with penalties and turnovers.”
The Rams, who were down 30-0 at halftime, were unable to garner sustained offensive success against the now 5-2, 1-0 Bulldogs’ defense.
