By Brad Greer

Two teams looking to get back on the winning track meet tonight as North Delta travels to Senatobia to square off against  Magnolia Heights in a 7:30 kickoff.

Both squads are coming off losses last week as North Delta fell to Washington 34-7 at home while Magnolia Heights was shut out 19-0 at the hands of Starkville Academy.

The Chiefs enter tonight’s grudge match sporting a 1-2 overall record after having lost to Marshall 36-13 to open the season before picking up their only win against Kirk 31-20 in week two.

Magnolia Heights head coach Cliff Young said both teams are similar when it comes to returning players form last season.

“We  both lost about the  same number of players from last season so this has been kind of a rebuilding for both of us,“ said Young.

“North Delta is always going to be well-coached and will play hard for four quarters. Not only do they have the two Pirtle brothers, I have been really impressed with the way their tailback (Taylor Morris) runs the ball. They are very aggressive on the defensive side of the ball and can run to the ball. Their linebacker No. 9 (Parker Jones) is a good-looking kid that seems to have a nose for the football,” said Young.

Leading the Magnolia Heights offense is sophomore quarterback/ defensive back Jamell Newson (5’10”- 150) along with junior running backs Jacob Billingsley (6’1”- 180) and Kevin Barber (6’1”- 180).

Newson is a Senatobia transfer who is ex-teammate with current North Delta players Tyler and Colby Pirtle.

Junior center Austin Inglish (5’9”- 190) and Lee Spencer (6’0” – 230) anchors the offensive line while Richard Price (6’1”- 235) and linebacker Sharkey Luna (6’0”-170) holds down the defensive.

Green Wave head coach Dan Werner said the key for their teams success will be to contain Newson.

“He (Newson) is about 70 percent of their offense. He makes good decisions with the ball and has very good speed. We have got to make sure we know where he is at all times and put a hat on him,” said Werner.

The quarterback issue could be a problem for the Green Wave as regular signal-caller Tyler Pirtle was injured in the first quarter of last weeks loss to Washington.

If Pirtle cannot go, junior backup Hunt Howell will take over under center.

“Hunt has (spent) a whole week working with the first team unit and we feel confidant in his abilities to lead our team,” said Werner.