By Brad Greer

For the past four years, Marshall Academy and North Delta have fought for District 1-AA supremacy. Tonight however the two teams will battle it out for a much bigger prize at Green Wave Field for the MAIS Class AA North State championship game beginning at 7 p.m.

The No. 3 ranked Green Wave, (10-2) enters   tonight’s contest riding an eight game winning streak while Marshall (10-2) has reeled off five victories in a row since losing 35-27 to North Delta in September.

North Delta has been nothing short of dominating thus far in the playoffs with easy wins over Oak Hill (42-14) and River Oaks, La. (41-7) last week. The Patriots meanwhile defeated Canton (20-7) and division foe Indianola 20-15 last week.

Tonight’s grudge match between the two schools will be the last one in the forseeable future as Marshall is dropping down to Class A next season.

“Records can be thrown out the window tonight. It does not matter if we have beaten them in the last four meetings, what happens tonight is what counts,” said North Delta head coach Brandon Ciaromitaro

“Marshall has got an outstanding coaching staff and a group of talented players. Their quarterback, Dakota Dailey, is one of the most elusive backs we have faced all season. We have got to keep him contained in the pocket and try not to let him get an open lane to run in,” said Ciaromitaro.

Dailey, a sophomore, rushed for 141 yards on 14 carries while completing 12-of-18 passes for 105 yards in the Patriots loss to North Delta. Senior fullback Zack Pritchett scored three touchdowns in the contest.

Dailey’s main target through the air will be seniors Aaron McAlexander (6’1”- 180) and Randy Love (6’3”- 185) along with sophomore Devin McGregor (5’10”- 170).

J.B Whisenant,(6’2”-305) Brody Martin, (6’2”- 245) and Chase Wilson (5’11- 200) anchor the offensive line for the Patriots.

Marshall’s main focus will be trying  to slow down a North Delta offense that was rolled up nearly 800 yards of total offense in the last two games

Quarterback Tyler Pirtle ran for 179 yards and two touchdowns in last Friday’s romp over River Oaks. Austin Hagstrom also ran for a pair of touchdowns while hauling in three receptions for 61 yards.

Other  starters include tailback/linebacker Taylor Morris, wide receiver/cornerback William Dean along with sophomore Chase Coker at wideout and junior tight end Sam Copeland.The Green Wave offensive line includes Parker Jones, Carter Gant, Bradley Booth, Harley Ashby and Hunter Pitcher.