Baker speeding from LHS to Ole Miss’ track
A chance to prove himself on the track is all Jarius Baker is asking for. The former Lafayette High standout in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and in various relay events, recently joined the Ole Miss track program hoping to help the Rebels, and himself, in the future.
Baker is one of 87 athletes, both male and female, on this year’s team, a total that is the highest in school history according to head coach Joe Walker. (August 27, 2010, Page 7A)
Murray has pressure on him at UGA
There may never be a perfect time to start a freshman at quarterback in the Southeastern Conference, but for Georgia coach Mark Richt, if there was ever going to be season to do it, 2010 is the one.
Redshirt freshman Aaron Murray may never have taken a snap under center in the rugged SEC, but with 10 returners back on offense, his success rate as a starter has ultimately increased.
Richt may be looking to build on a disappointing 8-5 season with Murray leading the way on offense, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get help from a running game that is expected to be one of the best in the SEC this year. (August 27, 2010, Page 8A)
Colonel Reb makes comeback with retailers
Colonel Rebel may have disappeared from the sidelines at Ole Miss games several years ago, but there are many Rebel faithful who still show their support for the vacated mascot.
This fall, as Ole Miss officials continue to work on introducing a new mascot to the public, the Colonel will be seen a lot around town and in the stands of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Blue Devils need another great effort Friday
Another great effort, similar to what they gave in the season opener against Bruce, is what the Water Valley Blue Devils will be looking to achieve Friday night against Yalobusha County rival Coffeeville.
The annual Railroad Trophy game will be played in Coffeeville this year. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game can be heard locally on WTNM (105.5 FM). (August 26, 2010, Page 6)
Commodores ready for opener at home
Lafayette coach Anthony Hart doesn’t see a pushover opponent on his team’s schedule, especially not this Friday night when the Commodores host Memphis Trezevant in the first home game of the season.
The Bears dispatched Houston 42-26 in their season opener last week and Hart said that they have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. (August 26, 2010, Page 6)
Can Brantley replace Tebow?
Life without Tim Tebow. That’s what Florida coach Urban Meyer is facing currently as he prepares his team for the 2010 season opener against Miami of Ohio on Sept. 4. Meyer, who has won two national titles for the Gators since he was hired before the 2005 season, said not having the Heisman Trophy award winner around has been different, but exciting because it brings a new opportunity for the team. (August 26, 2010, Page 7)
Lafayette earns two wins over Senatobia
Lafayette got its middle school football schedule off to a good start with two wins over Senatobia Tuesday night at William L. Buford Stadium.
The seventh-grade Commodores defeated the Warriors 8-6 in the first game, while the eighth-graders earned a 14-0 shutout in the nightcap.
Tuesday’s first game was scoreless until two seconds remained in the first half when Lafayette’s Zeke Liggins scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was supplied on a run by Quin’chaun Jones. Senatobia made things interesting late as it scored at the 2:30 mark of the second half. Lafayette was able to hold on the two-point play, preserving the first-game victory. (August 25, 2010, Page 8)
Lady ‘Dores knock off WVHS
A complete team effort proved to be the key to a 3-0 (25-9, 25-18, 25-6) win for the Lafayette Lady Commodores over the Water Valley Lady Blue Devils Tuesday.
A day after LHS defeated Senatobia to win its first district match of the season, the team turned around Tuesday and recorded another important district win over WVHS. LHS topped Senatobia 3-0 on Monday and then handled Water Valley with the use of a solid service game and aggressive kill shots.
For LHS coach Rachel Wenzel, playing back-to-back days was a good thing because her team will have to play three matches on Saturday in the Tupelo Volleyfest. (August 25, 2010, Page 9)
Chizik not expecting sophomore slump
Gene Chizik made a statement in his first season as head coach of Auburn. He took a program that had surprisingly grown stale on offense under Tommy Tuberville and turned it into a more dynamic, cutting edge group. The end result of installing a fast-paced, spread offense was an 8-5 overall record and a win over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl.
The Tigers amassed a school-record 5,613 yards on offense last year under Chizik, a coach known more for his defensive ability, and the hope this year is even better results.
There is no question that the offensive philosophy of coordinator Gus Malzhan can produce results, the bigger question now lies on defense and it’s ability to stop teams. If the Tigers can improve on defense where five of the team’s top tacklers return, then they may have a legitimate shot of winning the Southeastern Conference Western Division title. (August 25, 2010, Page 10)
Clarity with OM QBs expected today
Today’s football practice at Ole Miss is expected to bring a bit more clarity to the battle to become the starting quarterback against Jacksonville State in the season opener next week.
Both Nathan Stanley and Jeremiah Masoli performed well in the final scrimmage of the preseason camp held last Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Stanley missed just one pass (10-for-11) during his time under center and out of the shotgun and also added a 25-yard touchdown run once the team started red zone work. (August 24, 2010, Page 6)
