By Brad  Greer

With scrimmages and jamborees now in the rearview mirror, things are about to get real for the North Delta School as they gear up for the 2015 football season tonight by hosting West Memphis Christian in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Green Wave Field.

 North Delta will be looking to improve on last season’s 3-8 record and a trip the MAIS playoffs where they lost in the first round. Tonight’s contest is the first meeting between the schools since 2012 when the Green Wave claimed a 46-7 victory over the Black Knights. North Delta leads the all-time series 6-1.

The Wave will look to keep the momentum going after a strong showing in the Lee Academy jamboree last week where they blanked Kirk 13-0 before battling Lee to a 6-6 tie thanks in part to a late goal line stand. West Memphis meanwhile took part in the Lee, Ark. jamboree.

Senior wide receiver Bailey Ross caught touchdowns passes of nine and 66 yards from quarterback Will Kidder in each of the contests. The duo also connected on a 50- yard reception against Lee that set up the lone score. John Haga Lewis, Dennis King and Cole Devazier will be Kidder’s  other options  in the passing game. Accompanying Kidder in the backfield will be Kaleb Joyner, Joesph Wright, Baker West  along with Hunter Baker.

The offensive line will consist of Johnathan Wilkes, Ethan Calvert, Austin Pointer and Joseph Cox with freshman Braxton Bailey and Matt Burchfield added into the mix. James Ridge and Tripp Savage will hold down the defensive backfield for North Delta. Linebackers include Michael Prine, Baker and Calvert.

North Delta will face a West Memphis squad that is coming off a 1-9 season in 2014 under second-year head coach Darrow Anderson. The Knights plan to employ a two-quarterback system of sophomores Matthew Baker (5-9; 145) and Patrick Ratliff (5-8; 160). Running backs include senior Kirby Patterson (6-0; 205) and junior Jameson Smith (5-8; 156). 

Wide receiver targets include Evin Coop (5-9; 155) and sophomores Bryce Waller (6-3; 170) along with Daniel Hunter (5-8; 138). Kyndrell Jackson, Kentrale Green and Stephen Wooten spearhead the defensive line for West Memphis.