Rockets, Tornadoes fall in season openers Friday

The 2024 high school football season kicked off for public schools last week and both the Neshoba Central Rockets and Philadelphia Tornaodes found themselves on the losing side.

Neshoba Central fell to Pearl and former Head Coach Patrick Schoolar to open the season in a narrow 26-20 loss. Trendell Parker had a big game on defense for Neshoba Central, including a pick-six that cut the Pearl lead to one score in the fourth quarter. The Rockets will look to rebound Friday, as they host defending 4A state champions, Louisville, in their home opener.

Philadelphia took a 27-0 loss to Forest on the road to open the season in new Head Coach Georgio Grace’s first game at the helm. The Tornadoes will travel to face powerhouse Noxubee County and Mississippi State quarterback commit Kamario Taylor this Friday night.