Pope and ND to meet in rematch today

By Angie Ledbetter

The North Delta Jr. High Green Wave will welcome the Pope Bulldogs to their  field tonight for one of the biggest matchups of their season. Revenge has been on the Jr. High Green Wave’s minds for three months after losing to the Bulldogs 38-14 on May 19 for the first meeting of these two schools.

It was a history-making day for both schools but football was the only thing that the two teams had on their minds and the pride that went along with winning the game.

Bragging rights have belonged to the Pope Bulldogs for three months, but now the Green Wave want to take those bragging rights for a few months. They want to prove that their team can win this game.

This game will be different from the spring game. Coach Mike Turner’s Bulldogs were loaded with talent and speed. It was a Kendrick Market showing in the spring, but not this game. Market along with several ninth graders graduated from Pope and are now at South Panola.

It’s the Green Wave’s chance to showcase their talent to the Bulldogs. They will showcase 31 players tonight when they take the field from Green Wave Lane. They will be under the leadership of freshman quarterback Bryan Nickle. Eleven other freshman make up the roster along with 10 eighth graders and 9 seventh graders.

Green Wave head Coach Richard Russo said that his junior high team really stepped up to the plate with summer workouts.

“I’m excited about how our junior high team has trained this summer,” said Russo. “It’s paying dividends on the field. We’re a much better team than the team that Pope played back in late May. I think that the scoreboard will reflect it Tuesday night.

“It is neat for the community that these two schools that are so close can play now and break through the public school and private school barrier.” said Russo. “I’m really looking forward to it and I think that it is going to be a good atmosphere.”

The Pope Bulldogs will come in with 26 players on their roster.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Green Wave field.