Amory, Itawamba hold high respect for one another

Amory, Itawamba hold high respect for one another

BY CHRIS RUSHING
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

FULTON – After the clock read all zeros Friday night on the campus of Itawamba Community College, the Itawamba Indians achieved a rare feat with their third-ever victory over Amory, this one in 35-14 fashion behind a strong ground attack.

Defeating the Panthers was the final hurdle for IAHS coach Jamie Mitchell as he begins year three of his reign at the helm of the Indians program.

“This was only the third time for Itawamba to have beaten Amory in 25 years,” Mitchell explained following the win. “They’re the only team on our schedule we haven’t beaten (since I’ve been coaching at IAHS). Amory’s had a lot to do with that over the years. We’re grateful for this one.”

On the opposite sideline, Amory coach Pat Byrd saw just how far the No. 2-ranked Indians have come in a short time under the direction of Mitchell and Co.

“They have a fine football team and they’re very powerful,” Byrd said. “You could tell we were playing our first game and that they had played before (in a jamboree). All that being said, (Itawamba) has a very good football team.”

While the first half proved to be a tough lesson for the Panthers in their season opener, the second half began with much promise as senior quarterback Stephen Otey found Evan Lackey from 27 yards out to cut the deficit to 28-7. Amory began its scoring drive with the best starting field position of the night after Nick Waldrop pounced on Kevin Marks’ muffed punt at the IAHS 49-yard-line.

Later in the third quarter, Otey again had the Panthers in the red zone after another muffed punt by the Indians, setting up a first-and-10 from the Itawamba 19. This time, the Amory offense wasn’t as fortunate as three costly penalties and a pair of William Shumpert sacks forced the Panthers back near midfield for an unconverted fourth-and-long situation.

Byrd pointed to these miscues as focal points for improvement in the coming weeks.

“We talked about how we have to sustain after the game,” Byrd said. “We talk a lot about responding to adversity, and we didn’t do a very good job of that against Itawamba. That’s one of the main things we’re going to work on.”

Coaches often preach the importance of having short memories on and off the field. The Panthers will have to put this plan into practice starting Friday against Lowdes County foe New Hope (1-0).

“We have a lot to improve on before next week,” Byrd added.

Kickoff between the Trojans and Panthers is set for 7:30 p.m.