By Brad Greer
There are some football rivalries that seem to pass over time while others are a sure fire bet to keep going. North Delta and Marshall are prime examples of just that.
In the last 12 meetings between the former district competitors, each team has won six games. But one will break that tie tonight as the Green Wave look to snap a three-game losing streak to the Patriots in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Holly Springs.
Marshall (6-2; 3-0 in District 1-AA) won last year’s game 49-7 in route to a MAIS Class A semifinal round berth before losing to Newton Academy.
North Delta’s last victory in the series was a 35-27 shootout in 2012 regular season before the Patriots came away with a 23-21 win later on that year in the North AA State championship game.
Marshall returned to Batesville in 2013 and came away with a 31-28 win on a game-winning field goal as time expired.
North Delta (5-3; 3-2) will look to rebound from last week’s 42-27 loss at St. Joseph in which the Green Wave led 27-8 early in the third quarter. Tight end Michael Prine caught two touchdown passes from Will Kidder while wide receiver Bailey Ross reeled in a scoring strike.
The Green Wave offensive line consisting of Joseph Cox, Ethan Calvert, Braxton Bailey, Austin Pointer and Jonathan Wilkes will look to open holes for Kaleb Joyner who led the Wave in rushing last week with 60 yards on nine carries and one touchdown. Joyner also caught four passes for 74 yards.
Marshall is coming off a 41-6 district win over Lee, Ark. last week that wrapped up a playoff appearance. The Patriots’ only losses have come against Starkville Academy (45-0) and Oak Hill (31-30).
Senior quarterback Luke Hobson leads the Marshall spread offense with junior running backs Canaan Pearson (6’1”-185) and Ryan McAlexander in the backfield.
Seniors Hunter Huff (5’10”-250) and Josh Feathers (6’0”, 210) guide the offensive line while linebackers Whitt Rodgers and Wesley Bolden along with Everett Hickman spark the defense.