Lafayette’s D. Dennis runs away with top honor

Teams that win championships always have great players leading the way. In the case of the Lafayette Commodores, there were a handful of players that stood out above the rest on a team that was filled from top to bottom with solid high school athletes. (more…) (December 16, 2010, Page 1B)

Lafayette’s Liggins, Dennis headline postseason honors

Lafayette’s Jeremy Liggins and Demarkus Dennis highlighted the  postseason awards and postseason teams that were selected recently in Class 4A.

Liggins, a junior, was named Player of the Year for the Region 2-4A team and the quarterback on the first team of the Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 4A team.

Dennis, also a junior, was named Offensive Player of the Year on the Region 2-4A team and first team running back on the MAC team. (December 8, 2010, Page 9)

Defense, Liggins pace ‘Dores in shutout

Another dominant performance that showed the experience of the No. 1 Lafayette Commodores as much as it did their overall athletic ability was the backdrop of Friday’s 35-0 win over New Albany in the Class 4A playoffs.

LHS (14-0 overall) advanced to its second straight North Half title game by dismantling a Bulldog team that had won its first 13 games of the season. The Commodores, who will now play Noxubee County for the right to advance to Jackson for the MHSAA state championship, caused four turnovers in the win and used the mistakes to score three touchdowns on short fields. (November 22, 2010, Page 3B)

LHS makes statement in Round 1 win

Believe it when Lafayette senior defensive end Demetri McIntosh says the top-ranked Commodores wanted to make a statement on Friday night.

After a slow start in the first quarter, the Lafayette Commodores rattled off 49 unanswered points to claim a 49-7 victory over the North Pontotoc Vikings in the Class 4A, first-round playoff meeting at William L. Buford Stadium. (November 8, 2010, Page 6B)

Versatile Conard developing as WVHS leader

Chris Conard has all the attributes of a star football player. He easily passes the eye test and looks good on paper. He has the skill set that not only makes him stand out, but has allowed the current junior to play on Water Valley’s varsity squad since he was in eighth grade.

Last Friday, Conard had a career-game in Water Valley’s 20-10 win in the season finale at Mooreville, grabbing three interceptions while also making nine tackles and breaking up five passes.

It’s because of that stellar performance that Conard was named the EAGLE’s Final Player of the Week for the 2010 season. (November 2, 2010, Page 9)

‘Dores capture Region 2-4A title Friday

The Lafayette Commodores rallied past the Rosa Fort Lions Friday night after a rather sluggish start to claim a 42-7 victory. The Commodores clinched first place in Region 2-4A with the important win over the Lions. (October 25, 2010, Page 4B)

Lions no match for Lafayette

The Lafayette Commodores (10-0, 5-0) stormed past the Rosa Fort Lions (7-3, 3-3) 42-7 on Friday night. With the win, the Commodores won Region 2-4A. (more…) (October 23, 2010)

Gooch shows knack for finding the end zone

Lafayette’s Anfernee Gooch has been overshadowed for much of the 2010 season by workhorses Jeremy Liggins and Demarkus Dennis.

That may have played a factor in Gooch’s breakout performance on Friday that earned him his second EAGLE Player of the Week honor.

Against the Millington Central Trojans, Gooch caught four passes and converted each into touchdown scores of 9, 55, 59 and 45 yards. (October 19, 2010, Page 8)

Liggins-Gooch connection too much for MCHS Trojans

Anfernee Gooch’s diminutive size can be misleading.

The Millington Central  Trojans discovered that the hard way as the Lafayette Commodores routed the Trojans 35-6 at Mooney Boswell Field, Millington Memorial Stadium on Friday night.

By the time the game was over, Gooch, listed at 5-foot-6, had racked up 172 receiving yards and four touchdowns. (October 18, 2010, Page 1B)

LHS’ Gooch too much for Millington Central

MILLINGTON, Tenn. — After surrendering a 79-yard punt return for a score the Lafayette Commodores bounced back in a big way, ripping off 35 unanswered points to top the Millington Central (Tenn.) Trojans 35-6. (more…) (October 16, 2010)