The Forrest City Mustangs probably would feel better about being 1-0 if they had earned it.
Even though the Mustangs lost to Osceola last week, that decision was reversed Tuesday when Osceola forfeited the game and giving the win to the Mustangs.
Junior quarterback Austin Easley started against Osceola after senior quarterback Justin Edwards missed a couple of days due to a death in the family. Easley played every series except one. Edwards will more than likely move back into the starting role against Marianna tonight.
The Mustangs have some problems on offense, particularly along the line, they need to repair. On defense, the Mustangs need to be a little more aggressive.
Edgar Williams had nine tackles to lead Forrest City while Adrian Warren had six and Decoris Lattimore had four. Montrell Ashcraft had one sack and two tackles while Demarcus Lockett had an interception.
THE GAME: The Forrest City Mustangs (1-0; AAAAA-East) vs the Marianna Lee Trojans (0-1; AAAA-Southwest) Friday, Sept. 7, at Trojan Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Neither team is ranked.
FORREST CITY: The Mustangs are 1-0 after having their 18-6 loss to Osceola reversed this week when the Seminoles forfeited. Forrest City won last year's game which gives a 21-5 overall edge in the series. A win would give the Mustangs their first 2-0 start since the 1997 season.
MARIANNA: The Trojans have had serious scoring problems. Marianna has scored eight points or less in nine of their last 11 games. In the opener a week ago, McGehee ran to a 31-0 win.
For the second time in four seasons, Hughes edged the Barton Bears last week, winning 7-6 on a late touchdown pass from junior quarterback Jermaine Davis to split end Lonnie Smith.
The victory over Barton could be a sign of good things. The last time Hughes defeated Barton (1998) the Blue Devils went on to post a 7-2 season and qualified for the Class AAA playoffs.
That year was also the last time Hughes managed a victory over Marion.
The Patriots will run from the "I" and will use two quarterbacks senior James Eldridge and sophomore phenom Devin Gardner.
As they have under fourth-year coach James Wright, the Blue Devils will operate from the quarterback-free Single Wing formation.
The Blue Devils did not have a turnover in the opener against Barton. The Bears turned the ball over to Hughes three times.
THE GAME: The Marion Patriots (1-0; AAAA-East) vs the Hughes Blue Devils (1-0; 6AAA) Friday, Sept. 7, at Blue Devil Stadium. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. Neither team is ranked.
HUGHES: The Blue Devils have only three seniors on the team roster this season, but they have some talented sophomores and juniors who are worth watching. The Blue Devils have not defeated Marion since the 1998 season.
MARION: For the first time in six years, Marion defeated Rivercrest in last Friday's opener. Devin Gardner's 34-yard touchdown pass to Marsalis Paige sealed the come-from-behind victory. Marion has senior tailback Michael Houston and Chris Brown in the backfield.
Judging from the offensive stats from their 31-26 win over Altheimer a week ago, one would assume the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots have more than enough scoring threats this season.
Senior tailback Ray Gardner ran for 224 yards, junior tailback Brandon Roberts totaled over 100 rushing yards and sophomore running back Jonathan Wheeler finished with 90 rushing yards.
What they need to do now is shore up the defense tonight when the host Elaine.
The Patriots have a chance to open 2-0 for the first time since the 1997 season, when they opened with three consecutive victories.
Palestine-Wheatley stands at 1-4 in the series against Elaine, dating back to the 1990 season.
The Patriots will start Clyde Kennedy at quarterback, who did not attempt a single pass in last week's win over Altheimer.
THE GAME: The Elaine Panthers (0-1; 6AA) vs the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots (1-0; 3AA) Friday, Sept. 7, at Patriot Stadium. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. Neither team is ranked.
PALESTINE-WHEATLEY: The Patriots rolled up Altheimer a week ago 31-26 even though Altheimer won the battle in total yards gained (510-to-470). Altheimer is the preseason pick to finish fourth in the Patriots' old conference, the 6AA. Tonight, the Pats get another 6AA member in Elaine, the preseason seventh-place pick.
ELAINE: A year ago, Elaine averaged almost 24 points a game. They lost their opener to Earle 18-12. Elaine has won the last three meetings against P-W, holding the Patriots to less than 10 points in two of the three victories.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The 2001 Forrest City Athletic Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremonies will be held Friday, Sept. 21.
Twelve former Forrest City and Lincoln High School athletes will be inducted into the Hall, which is in its second year.
The banquet will be held at the Forrest City Civic Center and will begin at 5 p.m., according to Bill Baxter, Forrest City athletic director.
Tickets are $10 in advance and are available from Baxter, Horner, Devereux; edwin houston and Freeman's.
This year's Hall of Fame class includes Rodney Echols, Clarence Jones Jr., Florine Bingham and John H. Watson, representing Lincoln High School.
Bill Kessinger, Sonny Holmes, Jim Lindsey and Pat Todd, representing FCHS before 1970.
William Hampton, Dudley Parker, Jimmie Rogers and Charlotte Fields Wright, representing FCHS after 1970.
The 12 new members will be introduced during halftime of the Forrest City-Jonesboro football game that night at Sam Smith Stadium.
By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
The Forrest City White Junior Mustangs took it hard on the chin Thursday night in the season opening game against Newport at Sam Smith Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Blue Junior Mustangs improved to 2-0 for the year by shutting down West Memphis Wonder 30-0 at West Memphis.
Newport opened an early 14-0 lead and went on to take a 33-8 win.
The White Mustangs' only touchdown came with 5:49 to play in the second quarter when Cedrick Johnson scored from 35 yards out on a sweep to the left. Johnson tacked on the two-point conversion run and Forrest City had sliced Newport's led to 14-8.
Augustus Haggins had two interceptions for Forrest City and Weston Lewis and Derrick Humphrey made some key receptions for the Mustangs.
Newport added a three-yard touchdown yard to lead 20-8 at the half and added touchdowns in the third and fourth quarter to make the final score.
Blue Mustangs 30, WMemphis Wonder 0
Larry Bean ran for 129 yards and scored three times to help lead the Blue Mustangs past WMemphis Wonder 30-0.
Cory Embrey returned the opening kickoff 80 yards for the touchdown to get things rolling for Forrest City.
Terrence Ware started at quarterback for Forrest City in place of LaCody Braddock while Oscar Brown and Dexter Thompson stepped in to fill a couple of defensive holes.
Eighth-grader Michael Alston shined defensively for the Blue Mustangs while Tracy Bean and Greg Watson highlighted the special team's play.
The Blue Mustangs led 14-0 at the half.
P-Wheatley 34, Elaine 6
Rashun Barnes led the Palestine-Wheatley Junior Patriots in rushing Thursday and to a 34-6 win over Elaine.
Quarterback Fred Leak found Brad Barton for a 35-yard TD strike while Osas Oyara played well on both sides of the ball, scoring from 15 yards out.
P-W led 20-0 at the half.