Three weeks into Mississippi's high school football season and Ethel still has not played a game. That should change Friday when the Tigers travel to Pelahatchie to play East Rankin Academy, an MAIS team, although nothing is concrete at this time.
“Everybody is healthy on our end,” said Coach Adam Smith. “I haven't known the MAIS to cancel a game yet.”
Ethel's first two scheduled games with Clarkdale and Enterprise-Lincoln were canceled when Ethel went virtual for two weeks, and last week's Attala County Super Bowl against McAdams did not come off because McAdams had gone virtual due to rising COVID cases.
So technically, the Tigers are 1-2 since MHSAA rules require that if a team cannot play, it must forfeit.
“The first time, it was us and we knew ahead of time what the deal was, so it wasn't too bad,” Smith said. “This time we got a call on Thursday that McAdams was quarantined and we were not going to be able to play. We had our walk-through that day. As soon as we had our walk through, they told us that we were not playing.”
Smith said his players were disappointed.
“It's a county rivalry. It's one they want to play,” he said.
This Friday, East Rankin will have the advantage of having played three games, although its first encounter with an MHSAA team did not go well, a 48-0 loss to St. Joseph Catholic. The Patriots split two games with MAIS foes, a 10-8 win over Columbia Academy and a 41-8 loss to Park Place Christian Academy.
Smith has seen tape of East Rankin.
“They're disciplined. They're fundamentally sound. They're going to be tough to beat,” said the coach before adding, “If we play our game and do what we are supposed to do, I think we have a decent shot at winning the game.
Fans who would like to attend the game should take I-55 south to Jackson, then I-20 east and Highway 43 north to the school.
