North Delta (7-3) is 5th seed in 16-team playoff field

All roads leading to Jackson Academy, the host school for the MAIS State 4A championship game Nov.17, begin tonight as the opening round of the playoffs gets underway.

Coming off a 14-12 victory over Kirk Academy last Friday, the North Delta Green Wave prepare to host their first opening round playoff game since 2012 when they take on Canton Academy tonight at 7 p.m.

North Delta (7-3) enters the game as the No. 5 seed while Canton (2-8) is No. 12 out of the 16-team field.

The winner will advance to next week’s second round to take on Clarksdale Lee Academy.

The Panthers and Green Wave have met only one time before with North Delta winning 36-27 to claim the 1994 Class 2A State Championship.

Canton’s only victories this season have come against  East Rankin Academy 41-14 and Winston Academy 22-15. The Panthers fell to Indianola Academy 33-7 last week.

Senior Nick Foreman (6’3”,180) directs the Panther offense along with sophomore wide receiver Dakota Jordan (6’,190). Juniors Ty Townsend (6’1”, 220) and Alijiah Otis (6’3”, 275) lead the Canton defense.

In last week’s thrilling win over Kirk, North Delta played without the services of leading rusher Jimmy Manues and quarterback Ryan Gibson.

Gibson exited the game after injuring his ankle on the opening series. Gibson is expected to miss this week’s game, but Manues will return to the lineup.

Jordan Cox filled in for Gibson and rushed for 166 yards and one touchdown last week. Cox is currently third on the team with 582 yards rushing and eight touchdowns to go along with 67 tackles.

Hawk Aldison leads North Delta with 75 tackles while Drake Barton has 69 stops for the season.