Year in Review: Voters approve school bond issue

While students, parents and staff of the Oxford School District celebrated after voters approved a $30 million bond for a new high school and massive capital improvement plan, students, parents and staff of the Lafayette County School District rejoiced over their football team winning the Class 4A state championship game.

Both events were the top news stories during a busy fourth quarter of 2010. (December 30, 2010, Page 1A)

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)

LHS Commodores capture 4A North Half title

The No. 1 ranked football team in Class 4A all season is just one win away from actually being crowned as the best.

Lafayette’s Commodores advanced to Jackson to play in the MHSAA’s 4A state championship game for the second straight season after defeating Noxubee County 20-0 Friday night in the 4A North Half title game.

Friday’s win didn’t necessarily come easy for LHS (15-0 overall), but a defense that has been tremendously consistent all season long continued to shine and make things even tougher for the Tigers (13-2) on offense that it was on the Commodores, who have now only allowed 19 points in four playoff games. (November 29, 2010, Page 1B)

Dennis, Liggins pace ‘Dores in rout

The Lafayette Commodores’ star players on offense, Jeremy Liggins and Demarkus Dennis, performed exceptionally well in front of a large, raucous Homecoming crowd Friday night at William L. Buford Stadium. Liggins and Dennis combined for seven touchdowns as the Commodores smashed the Byhalia Indians 52-0 in the Region 2-4A contest.

LHS coach Anthony Hart was very pleased with his team’s overall performance in the one-sided win. (September 27, 2010, Page 3B)

Mack, Dennis lead LHS past Indians

Friday night’s matchup between the Lafayette Commodores and Itawamba-AHS Indians had been circled on calendars as a quarterback showdown — Ole Miss commit Maikhail Miller pitted against possible Division 1 athlete (position to be determined) Jeremy Liggins.

Instead, Liggins was held out due to a minor injury and the Lafayette defense never let Miller get comfortable during the Commodores’ 28-6 victory. (September 13, 2010, Page 3B)

McIntosh embodies ‘Dores mission

It only takes a few seconds of talking with Demetri McIntosh to realize what he’s all about and what he means to the Lafayette Commodores.

Any team in the hunt for a state title needs leaders and McIntosh provides the senior leadership that helps the Commodore defense thrive. (September 10, 2010, Page 7A)

‘Dores looking to stay focused on IAHS

Every season the Crosstown Classic against Oxford isn’t just another game on the schedule. It’s a rivalry game that can take an emotional toll on its participants.

After winning their fifth straight game against Oxford, the Commodores will now have to regroup, recharge and focus their energy on Class 4A opponent Itawamba AHS (1-2 overall).

Last year, the Commodores’ lone regular season loss came at the hands of the Indians following a big win against Oxford.

This year, the Lafayette coaching staff is focused on not letting history repeat itself. (September 9, 2010, Page 6)

Hart doesn’t see weakness in Chargers

If there is a weakness in the Oxford Chargers lineup, then Lafayette coach Anthony Hart has yet to find it. The veteran coach and leader of the No. 1 team in Class 4A said his team’s opponent on Friday night is strong on both sides of the ball, especially on the defensive line. (September 2, 2010, Page 6)

Commodores shake off rust in win over Pontotoc

The Lafayette Commodores capped its preseason with a dominating 14-0 win over Pontotoc on Friday in a jamboree game at William L. Buford Stadium.

When talking to Lafayette’s coaches, the phrase sluggish was used several times to describe the squad’s performance despite limiting Pontotoc to just 15 yards of total offense.

Such is life as the defending Class 4A North Half Champion. (August 16, 2010, Page 6)