By Brad Greer
An end of a era of sorts will occur tonight as North Delta closes out its regular season home slate by taking on Winona Christian in a District 1-AA  contest beginning at 7 p.m. The last meeting between the two schools came in 2008 as the Stars came away with a 34-6 victory in Winona.

Ten North Delta seniors who have been a part of 24 wins, three conference champions and one North AA State championship game appearance will play for the final time in the regular season at Green Wave Field.

“This is going to be a big night for us in more ways than one. First and foremost it is a district game, but also getting a win for these seniors who have put in a lot of heart and effort into this program will be special,” said North Delta head coach Brandon Ciaramitaro.

For North Delta tonight’s game is a must win game in order to make the playoffs which begins in two weeks. The Green Wave (4-4; 2-1) travels to No.4 ranked and league leading Indianola next Friday to end the regular season.

Winona Christian comes into tonight’s contest sporting a 6-2 record overall and 1-2 in district play. The Stars, who have outscored their opponents 185-83 on the year, are coming off perhaps its biggest win of the year last week with a 21-0 win over Class A No. 2 ranked Desoto, Ark.

North Delta will attempt to break a two-game losing streak after falling to Lee Academy 35-6 in Clarksdale last Friday. Tyler Beard accounted for the Waves only score with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Hays Hudson.

The Stars lone district victory came in a 42-8 win over Kirk in week three while their two conference setbacks have come at the hands of Indianola (27-12) and Lee Academy (26-7).
Senior quarterback/defensive back Brooks Lott (5’9”- 165) directs the Stars offense. Joining Lott in the backfield will be Mason Holt (5’8”- 170) and running back/linebacker Chet Pogue ( 6’0”-190).

Winona is led on defense by junior defensive end/ offensive linemen  Luke Pittman (6’7”-240) and Devan Murphy (6’2”-200) at defensive tackle position.

“They run a bunch of sets on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Their quarterback No.1 (Lott) is a scrappy player who does a good running their offense. He is one of their main targets we are going to have to contain,” said Ciaramitaro.

Trying to slow down the Stars offense will the North Delta defense led by junior linebacker Austin Redwine who leads the team with 41 tackles on the season.

Fellow linebacker/ fullback Hunter Baker is second on the squad with 37 tackles. The Green Wave defensive line consist of Hunter Pitcher (27 tackles),  Parker Jones (26 tackles, three quarterback sacks), Tyler Hardin (22 tackles, one fumble recovery) and Bradley Booth (19 tackles, one fumble recovery).