ND’s battle with Winona has 10/17/2014 playoff implications
Published 12:00 am Friday, October 17, 2014
By Brad Greer
It has been a strange week to say the least for the North Delta School football team.
After having last Friday’s game with Lee Academy halted in the fourth quarter due to lightening then postponed Monday by yet again more severe weather, the Green Wave will set their sights on yet another crucial district battle as they visit Winona Christian tonight for a scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff.
Winona (5-3 overall; 2-1 district) enters the contest riding a three-game winning streak after routing Desoto, Ark. 46-0 last week. The Stars’ district wins this season have come over Lee Academy (22-20) and Kirk (52-25) with its only blemish coming 42-14 at the hands of Indianola. Other district games tonight include Kirk (3-5; 0-3) at Indianola (7-1; 3-0) while Bayou (6-2; 1-2) visits Lee (3-4; 0-2)
North Delta (2-5; 2-0) had its offense rolling last week against Lee before the game was called with 11:17 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Green Wave rolled up 385 yards of total offense at the time with 283 of that coming on the ground.
Quarterback Hays Hudson registered a season-high 190 yards rushing and two touchdown runs to go along with 60 yards passing. Hunter Baker had 10 carries for 61 yards while Bailey Sullivant registered 35 yards on five totes.
“Winona is a physical football team with good team speed. Coach (Ken) Chandler does a great job with his squad. Our team is excited about this game because it has playoff implications. Our guys know if we can play hard for five more quarters and come out with wins we are in the playoffs and can play for a district championship next week on senior night at our place,” said Green Wave head coach Brandon Ciaramitaro.
Passing has not been one of Winona forte’ this season as the Stars run-orientated offense has put the ball in the air only 49 times in eight games. Running back/linebacker Stuart Dickerson (5’10”- 215) leads Winona rushing game with 702 yards and 11 touchdowns while also leading the defense with 46 tackles.
The Stars plan to use a two- quarterback platoon system of Waye Watkins (6’3”-195) and Morgan Mills (5’9”- 145). Watkins has passed for 488 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 377 yards rushing and six touchdowns. Mills has chipped in with 331 yards rushing and four touchdowns while leading the team with three interceptions
Winona’s top two receiving threats will be Evan Wood (5’9”- 150) and senior tight end/defensive end Luke Pittman (6’7”-240). Wood has 11 catches for 216 yards and 41 tackles on defense while Pittman has hauled in 13 receptions for 212 yards and two touchdowns.