By Brad Greer

The North Delta Green Wave will look to wrap up their second straight District 1-AA championship tonight to close out the 2011 regular season as they travel into the heart of the Delta  to face Indianola Academy in The Panolian’s Game-of-the-Week.

North Delta (8-1; 3-0) is currently riding a six-game winning streak and looking to sew up a first-round home playoff game in two weeks. Indianola, meanwhile, comes into tonight’s contest with a 4-4 overall record and is 1-1 in district play.

The Colonels are coming off a 41-21  win over Kirk last week. Senior quarterback Taylor Marlow threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to wide receiver Trey Roberson.

Indianola, who has out scored its opponents 212-201 this season, has defeated Bayou, (51-21) Oak Hill, (39-14) and Manchester (37-26) with their losses coming at the hands of Clarksdale Lee (18-6) Washington (34-6), Central Hinds (47-21) and Marshall (20-12).

Senior running back/linebacker Dustin Roncali leads the Colonel rushing attack with 746 yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. Roberson and Luke Hargett will be Marlow’s main targets.

Ty Smith and Brad Young hold down the offensive line while Samuel Rose and Matt McGregor anchor the defensive line.

Indianola will have its hands full trying to slow down North Delta’s powerful offensive attack that is averaging 387 yards per game which includes 288 yards rushing and 99 yards passing.

The Green Wave has out-scored its opponents 351-192 on the season. North Delta is giving up 159 yards passing and 146 rushing per game.

Junior signal-caller Tyler Pirtle tossed three touchdown passes and ran for two more in a 53-20 win over Carroll last week. Bailey Guckert was on the receiving end of two Pirtle’s scoring strikes while Colby Pirtle reeled in two catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.

The North Delta defense caused a season-high four turnovers despite giving up 420 total yards to the Rebels.

Other games involving district teams include: Kirk (3-6) at Oak Hill (0-9) and Marshall (7-1) at MHSAA member Potts Camp (5-3) while Carroll has an open date.

Kickoff for tonight’s contest is set for 7:30 p.m.