By: Amelia Landers, Editor
Two weeks into football season the Warriors are undefeated. After weather caused the Bassfield game to be delayed, the Warriors hosted them on August 22. Petal arrived in Warrior territory on August 28 for a game that was steeped in rivalry. Over 6,500 fans were in attendance for the Oak Grove – Petal game, a reflection of the pride each of these communities have in their teams. The Warriors showed in both of these games that they came to play to win and play until the finish.
While both of these first games proved to be very exciting, there is a game to come that is already getting lots of attention. On October 9 the Meridian Wildcats will travel to Oak Grove to continue their rivalry. This highly anticipated game will be televised by Cellular South as part of their “Ya’ll vs. Us” program. Cellular South partnered with the Mississippi High School Activities Association to choose the rivalries to cover in this series. Only five games featuring ten high school teams will be included. Oak Grove’s inclusion in this group recognizes the strength of our football program and the support of the community and fans.
Last year the book “Ya’ll vs. Us” was written by Jackson attorney X.M. Frascogna, Jr., and his sons, Mike III and Marty. This book chronicles the 15 biggest high school football rivalries in Mississippi. The Oak Grove – Meridian rivalry was included in this book. This has resulted in an increased interest in this upcoming game.
The Warriors have been plagued with injuries this season. While several players are on the mend, the rest of the team has stepped up to fill the void. By the Meridian game in October several of the injured players should have returned to the roster.
The Warriors only loss during the 2008 regular season came at the hands of Meridian. The game was played in Meridian in a packed stadium. The Wildcats also ended the Warriors’ play-off chances with their second loss of the season during the playoffs. This game was also played in Meridian. This gives the Warriors an added incentive to defeat the Wildcats when they enter Warrior territory in October. The game promises to be full of energy and excitement, whether you watch it on T.V. or attend the game.
