Video: Big Time Playoff Showdown Set For Friday

MACON AND PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) — It’s the premier match-up in the 4-A North bracket. “Them Grapes” from Pontotoc against the reigning two time state champs Noxubee County Tigers.

Both teams won their first two playoff games, and now are one win away from clinching a North Half final spot.

The Pontotoc Warriors and Noxubee County Tigers earned their spots in the 4-A north semifinals.

Both teams had to grind it out late in the 2nd half of their quarterfinal match-ups in order to advance.

“There is really nobody that just stood out on either side as far as superstars for our team. They just play hard as a team. There is no young guys out there anymore. They all have experience. It’s up to them now to be prepared,” said Pontotoc Coach Jeff Carter.

“Everybody they play, no matter who it is, no matter what there record is, they are going to play these kids hard. We just keep telling them that we got to bring our a game every Friday night,” said Noxubee coach Tyrone Shorter.

The Pontotoc Warriors now get the chance of facing the two time defending champions, the Noxubee County Tigers on this field Friday night.

“We know the reputation they got, and we have a reputation ourselves this year. I’m sure they are expecting the same from us. They are going to come in here and we are going to give them a challenge, and we got a good game plan coming in here for them,” said Pontotoc quarterback Jacob Carter.

“Noxubee is obviously a big name. They got a lot of rings. They got a lot of guys who can go up and get the ball as far as receivers and stuff go, and they got a lot of talent,” said Pontotoc defensive back Brandon Hale.

“A lot of it is getting over it as a name, and just know that they are other high schoolers too. We do the same things they do, and play them as a team,” said Pontotoc center Nick Balis.

The Tigers also know they’ll have to bring it for four quarters if they want to punch a ticket to the North Half final.

“Pontotoc has a good team. We know that when we go up there, we have to be on our a game. We will have to come out fast because they are not a team to play around with,” said Noxubee receiver Kyziah Pruitt.

“They are a senior class just like we are. We got to come together and believe in God, and have faith in each other that we can pull off the win on the road,” adds Noxubee linebacker Kalmorris Robinson.

Head coaches Tyrone Shorter and Jeff Carter know they’ll have to play their best football of the season in order to survive another week.

“We can’t make any mistakes. We can’t give them the ball anymore then they should have it. It could come down to simple turnovers,” Carter said.

“They have a good football team, and it’s the playoffs. We have to come out from the beginning to the end in this game,” Shorter adds.