Alcorn County football fans will spread out across northeast Mississippi tonight, with Corinth, Alcorn Central and Biggersville on the road while Kossuth hosts an unbeaten neighbor.
All four games begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11. The nonregion matchups give three local teams a chance to move above .500 and offer Kossuth an opportunity to earn its first victory.
Where to go tonight
Corinth (1-1) at Houston (1-1): Houston High School.
Alcorn Central (1-1) at North Pontotoc (1-1): North Pontotoc Attendance Center in Ecru.
Tishomingo County (2-0) at Kossuth (0-2): Larry B. Mitchell Stadium.
Biggersville (1-1) at East Webster (2-0): East Webster High School in Maben.
Kossuth tries to slow Tishomingo County’s fast start
The county’s only home game brings a familiar opponent to Kossuth. Tishomingo County has already defeated Alcorn Central 27-10 and Biggersville 56-7, giving the Braves a chance to beat a third Alcorn County program in as many games.
Kossuth has had the upper hand historically, leading the series 18-7 and winning last season’s meeting 41-28. This year, however, the Aggies have scored only 20 points through two games, while the Braves have outscored their opponents 83-17.
Senior Braxton Brown has contributed an average of 60.5 rushing yards and 25.5 receiving yards per game for Kossuth. Junior quarterback Kipptyn Briggs adds 58 rushing yards per game. On defense, sophomore Landon Stewart leads the Aggies with 9.5 tackles per game.
For coach Brian Kelly’s team, improving offensive production is a priority after opening with 13 points against Baldwyn and seven against Adamsville, Tennessee.
Corinth looks to rebound in Houston
Corinth heads into Houston’s home opener seeking a response to last week’s 21-14 loss to Itawamba Agricultural. The Warriors and Indians were tied 7-7 after three quarters before Itawamba scored twice in the fourth.
Coach Justin Dye’s Warriors opened the season with a 28-21 victory at New Hope. They also have a recent success to build on against Houston, having beaten the Hilltoppers 52-20 last September. Corinth leads the all-time series 10-4-1.
Houston won 46-12 at Columbus before losing 27-12 at Pontotoc. Senior Braylin Rogers has been central to the Hilltoppers’ offense, averaging 138 rushing yards per game while throwing five touchdown passes. Ty’Chason Townsend, Jacobi Walker and DaMorio Hamilton provide receiving options.
Corinth has scored 42 points through two weeks. Sustaining drives and finishing possessions would help the Warriors regain momentum before region play begins in October.
Central takes momentum from shutout to Ecru
Alcorn Central arrives at North Pontotoc after one of the strongest performances of its young season, a 41-0 win over Falkner. Senior quarterback Ty Whitten threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more as the Golden Bears scored in every quarter.
The trip offers coach Marty Warren’s team a chance to show its progress against an opponent that won last year’s meeting 55-0. North Pontotoc leads the series 11-2.
Whitten is averaging 70 rushing yards per game, with sophomore Rylee Brooks adding 56.5. Senior Jayden Taylor leads Central’s defense at 12.5 tackles per game, followed by junior Kaidyn Young at 11.
The Vikings, also 1-1, followed a 33-21 loss at Booneville with a 45-28 victory at Nettleton. Junior Ladarrius Adkins has scored five touchdowns, including four rushing, and averages 86 rushing yards per game. Containing that ground attack will be a key test for Central.
Biggersville faces defending state champion
Biggersville’s trip to East Webster is WTVA’s Friday Night Fever Game of the Week. The Lions will face the defending Class 2A state champion, which enters with a 2-0 record and a 16-game winning streak dating to last season.
East Webster defeated Heidelberg 28-16 for its first football state title last December. The Wolverines are 5-0 all-time against Biggersville, including a 54-14 win last year.
First-year Lions coach Tyler Rosenthal inherited just six returning players after Biggersville’s 12-2 season. His team opened with a 33-14 win over West Lowndes before falling to Tishomingo County last week.
East Webster quarterback Kross Avent returns from a championship season in which he passed for 1,797 yards and 22 touchdowns. Miles Stidham is averaging 95 receiving yards per game, while Dakarai Coffey contributes as both a runner and receiver.
For Biggersville, limiting big plays and keeping the game manageable will be central to the challenge against an experienced opponent.
This preview draws on reporting by sister publication Alcorn County Sports. Records and statistics are through Sept. 10-11; the original report cites MHSAA schedules, MaxPreps, AHSFHS.org and WTVA.
