Opposing viewpoints: Provine sports battering Rams

September 26, 2012

The Provine High School Rams may not have the type of record that is overly impressive, but they have a running game that does.

Frank Jenkins and Robert Lee have combined for 714 yards rushing this season. Jenkins is the top rushing Ram with 388 yards on 85 carries.

That's what the Starkville High School Yellowjackets must contend with in their next Class 5A, Region 2, District 6 game at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

"They fill up the line of scrimmage and are huge," Starkville coach Jamie Mitchell said. "They have two good tailbacks, who are back from a year ago and they are big. The starting tailback is 220 pounds."

Provine has an overall record of 3-2 with three non-region wins over Clinton 32-27, Jim Hill 6-0 and Forest Hill 33-29. The Rams lost to Murrah 33-27 and dropped their region opener last week to Callaway 19-13.

– Danny P. Smith

SA expects Copiah Academy to air it out

Starkville Academy has faced a lot of teams that rely on the run, but this week they face a team who puts it in the air.

The Volunteers (3-3, 1-1) travel to Gallman to take on division foe Copiah Academy (0-6, 0-1) at 7 p.m.

"They tend the throw the ball more this year," SA head coach Jeff Terrill said. "They have got a couple of wide outs that are really good. The quarterback does a good job. They throw a little bit more than most schools that you see. It will be interesting to see how we do."

The Colonels are led offensively by sophomore quarterback Ryan Drew. He has a lot of weapons in senior wide out Austin Stringer, senior Dillon Martin and junior tight end Justin Edwards.

"They are a division foe that we have played before," Terrill said. "We're both very familiar with each other. The game means an awful lot. The winner is really in the driver's seat, at least for a playoff spot. It ought to be a real great battle."

– Ben Wait