In a real blink or you’ll miss it fashion, summer vacation has come and gone, which can only mean one thing — fall is around the corner and football is already almost here.
All four Marion County teams reached the postseason in 2023 with Columbia making it all the way to the Class 4A State Championship game, but this year might just have a chance to be an even better year. Both East Marion and Columbia Academy should show improvement due to an increased amount of depth, and West Marion looks to build off of last year’s district-slate success. It may be difficult for Columbia to replicate last season’s near-undefeated run, but the Wildcats will be contenders in Class 4A as usual.
With the season kicking off in just over a week when Columbia Academy plays host to Cathedral Aug. 16., let’s take a look at eight of the most mouth-watering matchups we’ll see on the gridiron in the coming months.
CA vs PCS, Aug. 23
Some storylines just write themselves, and this is no different. In PCS’ program history, the Bobcats have had nine winning seasons. Joey Hawkins, who enters his first season leading the Cougars, is responsible for six of those. Couple that with a chance for Columbia Academy to prove itself on its home field, and this makes for an exciting early-season matchup in Marion County.
Last year’s meeting between the Cougars and Bobcats was a competitive clash in Hattiesburg with PCS prevailing 35-20. If Hawkins will be able to take down the team he last coached for in 2017, his Cougars need to have a strong defensive performance and be strong in the trenches – which is something that should be improved due to added depth. With a contest this early in the season against a higher-level opponent, CA’s second game of the season will undoubtedly be a measuring stick game.
West Marion @ East Marion, Aug. 29
Who doesn’t love some good Thursday night football? And it’s hard not to love it when these two rivals square off. Last year’s meeting came down to the wire with the Eagles triumphing 12-6 – earning their first win in the series since 2017 – and now the Trojans look for revenge on the road.
The Trojans enter Year 3 of Braxton Albritton under center, and his surrounding skill position stars can make for a high-powered passing attack. For the Eagles, Aug. 29 will mark the debut of Caiden Belton, the highly-touted freshman quarterback prospect with a commitment to Miami (Fla.). This game will tell a lot about these two teams, and it’s always a treat when these two county foes lock up.
Columbia @ Petal, Sept. 13
This one’s another game that can just about be highlighted each year on our football calendar. Since the Wildcats and Panthers first met in their current series in 2021, it’s had a “big fight feel” in each meeting. Petal took down Columbia 14-7 in 2021 in the opening of the new Walter Payton Field, but the Wildcats have taken each of the last two games – last year by three touchdowns. With the series returning to Petal, the Panthers will be eager for revenge on their home field.
But this isn’t the same Columbia team, and this isn’t the same Petal team, either. The Panthers are now once again led by Marcus Boyles, who came out of retirement for the 2023 season with Meridian before returning to Petal, where he coached from 2012-2020 and has the best record (80-39) in program history. Boyles won a South State championship with the Panthers in 2015, and he has won five state championships between his stops at Taylorsville in the mid-1990s and Wayne County in the early 2000s.
It’s always a heavyweight fight when these two clash, and this time will be no different.
West Marion vs Sumrall, Sept. 20
In what may be another measuring stick game for West Marion, the Trojans look to escape homecoming with a victory against a team that barely beat them last season. Sumrall took down West Marion 15-9 last season when the Trojans were still figuring out their offense, which was the precursor to a four-game winning streak that wiped away a 13-game losing streak.
With the Bobcats coming to Foxworth in 2024, it could make for a different outcome – if the Trojan defense can play similar to its effort last year.
Columbia vs JDC, Sept. 20
In another Columbia rivalry that can be bookmarked each year, the Wildcats and Jaguars never seem to disappoint when matched up on the gridiron. Last year’s meeting was the most Columbia had been tested in the regular season with a 21-7 defensive showdown in Bassfield. The Wildcats lost to JDC the last time the series came to Columbia – 41-22 in 2022 – and the all-time series record is 5-4 in favor of the Wildcats.
Needless to say, this will be a big-time matchup, as it is every time these two meet.
CA vs Bowling Green, Sept. 27
For CA’s last district matchup of 2024, the Cougars will host longtime rival Bowling Green with revenge on their mind. Since 2001, Bowling Green holds a 12-11 advantage, including consecutive wins with a 35-0 drubbing last season.
It should be a high-stakes matchup, indeed, if the Cougars are able to win at least two games out of their three district clashes at Centreville, at Wayne or vs. Amite. Even if a district championship isn’t on the line, it will still be a chance for CA to prove itself as it rolls through Year 1 of the Joey Hawkins era.
East Marion vs Sacred Heart, Oct. 4
The Eagles will be opening their district slate with a bang in this rematch from a heartbreaking loss last season. The Crusaders, who were undefeated heading into last year’s game, claimed an 18-14 victory in Hattiesburg after a fumbled snap by the Eagles inside Sacred Heart territory sealed the deal.
The problem in last year’s game was that Paden McLin, a wide receiver, was forced to start at quarterback due to consecutive injuries to starting quarterback Caden Mingo and backup Romello Edwards. That shouldn’t be a problem this year, as the Eagles are three-deep under center with Belton, Edwards and Mingo all able to play quarterback if need be. For East Marion to make a run towards a potential district championship, a win here would be absolutely crucial.
West Marion vs Perry Central, Oct. 18
This game was probably the game of the year in last year’s regular season – and perhaps even the season as a whole. The Trojans took down the Bulldogs 35-34 in double-overtime in New Augusta, which clinched a home playoff game for West Marion after having a dismal year-and-a-half stretch.
This game could once again determine a home playoff game, and if it’s anything like last year’s showdown, get your popcorn ready.
The Pickoff
In more crazy college football news, Florida International has a new stadium name – Pitbull Stadium. Yes, that Pitbull. Mr. Worldwide.
I personally love this move, though it’s a weird sight to see a stadium of a school so far from the limelight be named after such a noteworthy celebrity. He received over $2 million to perform at Texas of the SEC earlier this summer, and he turned around and pledged triple that to FIU of Conference USA Monday. I would have pegged him as a Miami Hurricanes guy, but good for FIU.
Play of the week
This was already documented elsewhere in this week’s C-P sports section, but I have to give the nod to CA’s Macie Wilks for hitting two home runs in the Lady Cougars’ 6-1 win over PCS Monday. She now has hit three long balls in this young season, and CA has quite a dangerous first four batters in its lineup.
