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Natchez High looking for a turnaround vs. Meridian
Published Friday, September 26, 2008
NATCHEZ — Natchez High coach Lance Reed is looking for a turnaround from a Sept. 19, 21-19 loss to Franklin County in which the Bulldogs racked up 24 penalties for 191 yards.
But Friday’s match-up against No. 10 Meridian High might be a tough time to rebound. The 3-1 Wildcats’ only loss came against the top team in the state, Wayne County.
Region 3-5A Meridian reached the state semifinals last season and return many of their biggest players, including quarterback Tyler Russell, who threw for 2,481 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2007.
Wide receivers Chris Smith, Marcus McQuarley and Hamp Glover also return — the three combined for 123 catches for 2,261 yards and 23 scores this past season. And sophomore defensive lineman Jacoby Eason had five sacks and 58 tackles in his breakout freshman year.
“They’re a spread team, kind of like us. They run it quite well,” Reed said. “They have a committee to Mississippi State, their quarterback (Russell), and they also have a receiver who committed to Mississippi State — two of several weapons on their team.”
The two met up last year as well, and the Wildcats took a 28-14 victory.
But Reed said he is working more on his team than on the upcoming game.
“Speed is their biggest asset — they’re fast. They have a lot of athletes with speed, and they’re going to play tough at home,” he said. “But we’re focusing more on ourselves, making sure we come out and play a complete game and minimize mistakes like unwarranted penalties. We need to execute the things we want to do.”
For Reed, sophomore quarterback JavonWashington is stepping into his role as a young leader. He completed 19-of-28 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions against Franklin County in the Bulldogs loss.
And Rico Richardson, a senior wide receiver and running back, is Reed’s go-to guy.
Richardson caught seven passes for 111 yards and two scores while rushing for 31 yards on three carries against Franklin County last Friday.
Friday will be a challenge, Reed said, but so will every game from here until the end of the season.
“It’s really the beginning. We’ve broken our season down into two separate seasons,” he said.
“We’ve ended the first, non-district play, and we’re starting a new season, which is district play. We realize it’s a long road ahead.”
Kickoff for tonight’s game is at 7:30 p.m. at Meridian High School.
Comments
Posted by mississippime (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GOOD LUCK NATCHEZ ! DESPITE ALL THE TRASH TALKING THAT HAS WENT ON SINCE LAST FRIDAY. STAY FOCUSED AND YALL WILL WIN. FC WISHES BAD LUCK ON NO ONE.
Posted by specialk (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If the score is Natchez 14-Meredian 40 please dont blame the REF's because all excuses are UNACCEPTABLE this time.
(smile) HOPE we win, GOOD LUCK Bulldogs!
Posted by pride (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mississippime that shows real class ! He bro I want you to know that the trash talk was just trash talking . We really do pull for FC when they play outside of the Miss/Lou region . Drop the bomb on those outsiders tonight !
Posted by mississippime (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WE GOT OUR A$$ WHOOPED TONIGHT 13 to 7. COACH HAMMOND HAS NO CLUE ON HOW TO USE ALL THE WEAPONS WE HAVE. THIS RUN RUN RUN, RUN YOUR SWEEP BULL IS GONNA GET US KILLED THIS YEAR. BIG UPS TO TYLERTOWN. THEY KEYED IN ON THAT SAME OL SWEEP PLAY AND SHUT IT DOWN. COACH HAMMOND / YOU SUCK. YOU SHOULD BE FIRED. YOU WERE HANDED A TEAM LOADED FOR A THIRD STRAIGHT SHOT AT STATE AND TURNED IT INTO A JALOPPY. FC WE ARE STILL HERE FOR YALL, BUT HAMMOND HAS TO GO PERIOD.
Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All the disappointment and trash talking is exactly where it needs to be. I think everybody can move on past that and leave it where it is. In the past. Its district time. Good job Franklin and Jefferson County. You all have come a long way. So has Natchez. We are finally winning games and not being everydoby's punching bag like we used to be.
specialk: nobody is blaiming anybody. yes it was disappointing to see Natchez lose, but everybody does at one time or another. All the craziness is left in last week. We all know who took the blaim for that. Coach Reed said it himself that he takes the blaim for the loss. But what does it matter who takes the blaim because as I understand it, football is a team effort. Everybody leans on everybody. You win some you lose some. But you drive on afterwards because when the buzzer sounds at the end of the game, the scoreboard tells it all and nothing can change that. to JC and FC, y'all have fun and the best of luck and wishes to all you good neighbors!! Dont forget to stop by my peoples over at M.H. and get some fish! LOL
Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on September 26, 2008 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mississippime: 13-7. That was close. I didnt want to hear that bad news about FC. Sorry to hear that. I know FC can rebound though. You all have a long way to go. Just remember that the road havent ran out yet.
Posted by 1redneck (anonymous) on September 27, 2008 at 1:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FC was definitely in there and they will bounce back from this . I still believe that FC will go far this year . You'll probably be able to avenge that loss . I wish Natchez did better . The season is still young . Anyway I'm through with all the trash talk for good . We're all from the same region and I really do pull for teams here when they play outsiders . I hope JC was able to pull off a win !
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