By Brad Greer

At first glance, tonight’s North Delta District 1-AA contest against a winless Carroll Academy squad looks just like a normal game. But for the No. 4 ranked Green Wave it means a whole lot more.

With two games remaining in the regular season, a North Delta victory over the Rebels would clinch at least a share of the district championship before hosting Indianola next Friday.

While Carroll received a bye last week, North Delta (6-2) was dismantling Lee, Ark. to the tune of 41-12 behind 389 yards rushing and four touchdowns by senior tailback Taylor Morris. Austin Hagstrom and Tyler Pirtle each added a touchdown as the Wave took a 34-6 halftime lead before cruising the rest of the way. North Delta will be looking for its second win in a row over the Rebels after a 53-20 victory last year.

Carroll enters tonight’s 7 p.m. kickoff with a 0-7 overall record and 0-2 in district play. The Rebels, who have been outscored 67-209 on the season losses against Benton (19-8), Washington (46-6), Clarksdale Lee (34-0), Kirk (20-13), Marshall (40-7), Manchester (28-21) and Immanuel Christian (22-12).

Juniors Dustin Brewer and Jake Streater could both see playing time at quarterback position for Carroll. Look for running backs Peyton Banes and River Wolfe to get called on to carry most of the workload for the Rebels’ offense.

Wide receivers will include Hunter Flanagan and Logan Ellis along with Kyle Moore. Joe Kelley Whitfield, Layne Turner and Jonathan Ainsworth will anchor the offfensive line for Carroll.

Heading up the offensive line for North Delta will be Bradley Booth, Hunter Pitcher, Harly Ashby, Carter Gant and Parker Jones with Will Magee and Sam Copeland alternating at the tight end spots. William Dean, Parker Neth and Tyler Beard are the wideouts in the Green Wave no-huddle offense.