West Oktibbeha, Noxapater clash in region contest

October 26, 2012

West Oktibbeha quarterback Von Smith, right, checks his wrist band for the next play, while teammate Tiberias Lampkin looks for instruction earlier this season. (Photo by Ben Wait, SDN)

The West Oktibbeha Timberwolves face the Noxapater Tigers, creating a showdown for the ages in Class A, Region 3.

“This is a big game for us, simply because this is the next game on our schedule,” West Oktibbeha coach Adam Lowrey said.

Lowrey knows that is going to take everything West Oktibbeha has if it wants to continue with a perfect division record, but he also knows that his team is ready.

“Noxapater is a fundamentally sound football team,” Lowrey said. “They can hurt you offensively and defensively. We will have to be on top of our game.”

West Oktibbeha is again hoping for big games from senior running back Tiberias Lampkin, who thus far in the season has posted 29 touchdowns and accumulated over 1,500 rushing yards on 155 carries and added another 72 yards on three receptions, and from quarterback Von Smith, whose 64 completed passes and 581 yards rushing have given the Timberwolves six scores this season.

Both teams enter today’s competition following region victories. West Oktibbeha (8-1, 6-0) picked up a convincing 34-6 victory over rival East Oktibbeha, while Noxapater (7-2, 6-0) returns after a 52-20 victory over Pelahatchie.

Tonight will mark senior night for the Timberwolves with festivities taking place just before the 7 p.m. kickoff in Maben.

In other area matchups for week 10, Eupora travels to face East Webster and East Oktibbeha takes to the road to face Nanih Waiya. All games are set for 7 p.m.

Eupora (9-1, 4-0)

at East Webster (8-2, 3-1)

In a Class 2A, Region 2 encounter, the Eupora Eagles attempt to advance on their near perfect season as they travel to face the East Webster Wolverines.

“This game has tremendous implications for us,” Eupora coach Junior Graham said. “If we win (tonight), we lock up first place. Plus it’s a county rival game, so that puts added pressure on us and them.”

The one word East Webster Doug Wilson thinks of when describing Eupora is "solid."

“They are great on defense and great on special teams," Wilson said. "They can run the ball and throw the ball. It's tough to prepare for them. We want to play well enough to be there at the end and hopefully get a win.”

East Webster is returning to action after a 24-0 win over Hamilton, while Eupora is coming off a heavy-handed 55-0 victory over Williams Sullivan.

Last season’s matchup saw the Eagles take a 35-0 victory.

East Oktibbeha (2-7, 1-5)
at Nanih Waiya (5-4, 4-2)

Making a trip to Winston County to face the Nanih Waiya Warriors are the East Oktibbeha Titans, who are looking to get things back on track following a 34-6 loss to West Oktibbeha last Friday night.

“We want to finish our season strong,” East Oktibbeha coach Randy Brooks said. “We have five seniors this year and we want to do this for them. Nanih Waiya is a team that lines up and goes straight at you. We will have to go strength on strength with them.”

The Warriors welcome the Titans to town following a 28-14 win over West Lowndes the previous week.

East Oktibbeha is also hoping to re-write history as last season saw the Warriors down the Titans 47-6.