ND and Delta renew rivalry

By Angie Ledbetter

The North Delta Green Wave (4-2 overall, 2-0 district) will take on another district rival tonight when they host the team of Delta Academy Raiders of Marks.

The Raiders (2-4 overall, 1-3 district) are only 15 miles away and the biggest rival on the Green Wave’s schedule.

The Green Wave defeated Desoto, Ark. 21-6 and Tunica 25-20 in district action. The Raiders lost to Desoto, Ark. 27-6,  lost to Marvell, Ark. 26-16 and defeated West Memphis, Ark. 21-6 in district action.

The Green Wave and Marvell are both tied for first place in the district. Desoto is in second place with a 2-1 record. Delta Academy in is third place and Tunica and West Memphis are tied for last place in the district with a 0-1 record.

After tonight’s game, the Green Wave had two district games remaining on the schedule, Marvell and West Memphis.

The Green Wave will host Marvell next week for homecoming and play at West Memphis on October 26.

In non-conference action, Delta lost to Kirk Academy 41-14 September 21, defeated Lee, Ark. 20-14 August 31, and they lost to Indianola 42-13 on August 24 in the season opener. The Raiders have one remaining game October 12 against Tunica.

The Green Wave and the Raiders went head to head until the last few minutes of the game last year, but the Green Wave prevailed with a 33-28 victory.

This game is expected to be no different. The battle between these two teams is fierce and physical and never ends. The rivalry goes back several years.

These two teams have a close tie of family, friends and faculty. Some families will have to decide who to cheer for since they have relatives on both teams. Some players have best friends on the other team.

Head Coach Wayman Grantham will bring his team of 20 players to Green Wave field tonight hoping to continue their winning ways from last week’s defeat of West Memphis 21-6.

They are a young team consisting of three seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores, two freshman, and three eight graders.

The Raiders junior quarterback is No. 7 Trent Sinquefield. Other key players are wide receiver No. 18 Jarrod Moore, No. 40 fullback Jordan Campbell, running back No. 34 Matt Tedford, No. 1 wide receiver Robert Carson, No. 22 wide receiver John Cameron Corbin, No. 42 Taylor Bailey, tightend, and No. 55 Colton White, offensive /defensive lineman.

The Raiders have scored 81 points this season and given up 155 points. The Green Wave has scored 138 points and llowed 119 points.

Head Green Wave coach Richard Russo said he has respect for the Raider coach and team.

“Coach Grantham does an excellent job,” Russo said. “In fact, he teaches some of the most fundamental football that I have seen in the MPSA. A lot of people think that they are one-dimensional, but that is not the case. They want to run the football, but they are good in the passing game as well, so you have to respect both phases of offense.”

This is more than a rival game, according to Russo.

“It is a district game, so our boys need to be doubly focused, and work doubly hard this week in preparation,” said Russo. “I know that we will get their very best shot.”

The pep rally for the team will be at 2:20 p.m. in the school gym. Pregame will be at 7 p.m. with Russo. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on FM 106.9 with play by play action by Mickey Aldridge and Michael Bates. Cheering at halftime will be the second grade cheerleaders from mini camp. They will be performing a dance and a cheer.

Tune into the Farm Bureau Mississippi High School Football Scoreboard Show on FM 105.5 football highlights starting at 10 p.m.