By Brad Greer

It never ends between these two football teams. Rain or shine. Day or night. Home or away, none of it seems to matter when North Delta and Marshall meet on the gridiron.

Since moving  into the Academy AA ranks four years ago, the Green Wave have battled it out with the Patriots for the District 1-AA championship.

And while North Delta has won the last two meetings, Marshall will look to turn the tables tonight in Holly Springs for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Both squads are coming off big wins last week as North Delta celebrated homecoming with a 34-6 victory over Tunica while the Patriots eased past division foe Indianola 28-6.

Marshall enters tonight’s contest ranked No. 4 in the Clarion-Ledger prep poll with a 5-1 overall record and 2-0 in district play. The Patriots’ only loss was a 16-7 setback to Clarksdale Lee while their wins have been against Magnolia Heights (28-10), Tunica (54-21), Immanuel Christian (48-0) to go along with a 40-7 district victory over Carroll Academy.

Directing the Marshall offense will be sophomore quarterback Dakota Dailey. Mostly known for his basketball prowess, the six-foot, 175-pound Dailey is making his presence known on the football field as well.

“He might just be only a sophomore but he (Dailey) plays beyond his years,” said North Delta head coach Brandon Ciaramitaro. “ He adds another dimension to their offense. If noboby is open, he has the ability to tuck the ball in and run with it. You can tell he makes their team go,” said Ciaramitaro.

Joining Daily on offense will be three-year starter Aaron McAlexander at the wide receiver/defensive back position. Other starters will include senior tight end/linebacker Matt Rappa (6’0”; 185) and sophomore running back/defensive back Devin McGreger (5’10”; 170).

Junior Dalton Pritchard (5’10”; 350) and Brody Martin (6’2”; 245) anchor the offensive line along with senior J. B. Whisenant (6’2”; 305).

“Their offense can score from anywhere on the field. They have a lot of weapons offensively with McAlexander who is a threat anytime he touches the ball,” said Ciaramitaro.

North Delta meanwhile is hoping to get the same offensive production it got last week in its win over Tunica from Austin Hagstrom as the senior rushed for a season-high 216 yards and three touchdowns.

Taylor Morris added 105 yards rushing to go along with a 57-yard scoring run while leading the defense with six tackles and an interception return that helped set up a second half Green Wave touchdown.

Tyler Beard, Brett Harrington and William Dean lead the North Delta defensive backfield.

Beard broke up four passes and intercepted a pass last week.