Local teams gear up for the postseason

Published 2:43 am Monday, November 1, 2010

FERRIDAY — With a playoff berth assured, Ferriday High School head football coach Chad Harkins now wants his team to take the next step — win a District 2-2A championship.

And the Trojans can do just that if they defeat Farmerville on the road Friday night.

But it’s not going to be easy. The Farmers are a perfect 4-0 in district play and are 8-1 overall.

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They are coming off a 54-20 victory over Lake Providence on Friday night.

After starting the season off 1-3, the Trojans have won five games in a row, and also have a perfect 4-0 record in district play.

“We started the season off slow, but we’ve improved week to week and day to day,” Ferriday coach Chad Harkins said. “That’s all you can ask.”

Ferriday, coming off a 47-16 thrashing of Sterlington, will also have some revenge on their minds.

The Trojans lost to the Farmers twice last season, once in the regular season and again in the second round of the playoffs.

But Harkins and the Trojans want this year to be different.

“One of our goals was to win the district championship, and we’re right at the door of reaching our goal,” Harkins said. “We want to be peaking at the right time of the year and things will turn out good for us.”

Cathedral

The Green Wave had a chance to close out its first region championship since 1993 against Dexter, but turned in undoubtedly their worst performance of the year in a 26-6 loss to the Bulldogs.

Cathedral (8-2, 5-1) fell behind right from the start, as Dexter scored on its first possession and never looked back, taking a 20-0 lead at halftime.

“We just got whipped,” Cathedral coach Ron Rushing said. “I didn’t have us as prepared as I should have. I told the team after the game that I’m 0-2 this year. The players are 8-0 and I’m 0-2.”

Cathedral still can win the region championship with a victory over Salem at home Friday.

Salem limps in the game with a 3-6 overall record and 1-5 record in Region 4-1A.

Cathedral will be celebrating senior night.

ACCS and Trinity

Trinity Episcopal rolled into the playoffs undefeated after a 61-40 victory over Glenbrook Friday night.

Tip McKenzie once again was the do-everything star for the Saints, rushing for a touchdown, catching two touchdown passes and throwing for three more scores.

The Saints rose to 11-0 on the season and will face Wayne Academy in the first round of the playoffs Friday night.

Adams County Christian also went into the playoffs on a winning note, crushing Manchester Academy 35-14 on Friday.

Christopher Perry, Rusty Blackwell and Brandon Sanders combined for almost 400 yards rushing in the game. The Rebels will face Brookhaven Academy in the first round of the playoffs Friday.

Natchez High

The Natchez High Bulldogs got a great defensive performance on Friday, as they blanked Wingfield 34-0.

After giving up 30 points to Terry in their previous game, coach Lance Reed was happy to see the improvement.

“We’re pleased with the effort,” Reed said. “We’re pleased with containing a pretty solid Wingfield offense.”

Natchez hosts Hattiesburg on Friday night.