AMORY — Shannon has spent the last two weeks finding a way to win at the end. Amory has spent much of the fall proving its first two games did not tell the whole story.
Tonight, those paths meet in a Region 2-4A game with something useful on the line for both teams: another league victory before the regular season runs short of Fridays.
The Red Raiders arrive at Amory High School at 5–2 overall and 1–0 in the region. The Panthers are 4–3 and 1–1. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Central. The first Hardwired 662 Pregame Show opens the evening at 6 p.m. Central, ahead of NMSN’s Game of the Week coverage at 6:30.
For Shannon fans making the trip and Amory families settling in for another home game, there is good reason to expect more than the records alone suggest. Both teams have been winning lately. Both have also learned how little room a region game can leave for a mistake.
Shannon has had to finish
The Red Raiders bring a three-game winning streak, but the last two victories required work right to the finish.
NMSN viewers saw the first of those against Pontotoc on October 1. With Shannon trailing late, Danelius Conner scored on fourth-and-goal in the closing seconds of a 38–35 homecoming win at Mike Scott Field. The Red Raiders then broke up Pontotoc’s final pass to finish the job. Revisit NMSN’s coverage of that finish.
Last Friday brought another close call, this time a 26–21 region-opening win over Houston. Shannon intercepted four passes, including two by Mikilynn Barr. Barr’s late pick came after Houston had recovered an onside kick with a chance to take the lead.
Conner supplied 109 rushing yards and an 82-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Dashaun Clifton passed for 175 yards and two scores, while SirValad Montgomery caught five passes for 106 yards and both receiving touchdowns.
Those numbers give Amory several concerns to sort through. Conner can change field position on a return as well as move the chains on offense. Clifton and Montgomery give the Panthers a passing connection to account for when they commit defenders to the run.
Shannon has won its last two games by a combined eight points. The confidence earned in those finishes should travel. So should the reminder that an opponent can still have a chance after the Red Raiders appear to have control.
Amory has changed the course of its season
The Panthers opened with losses to Pontotoc and Caledonia. Since then, they have won four of five, with a 21–20 loss to Houston the only interruption.
Last week’s 42–7 victory at Mooreville was Amory’s highest scoring output of the season. The Panthers have also beaten Saltillo, Aberdeen and South Pontotoc during that stretch.
The defensive improvement deserves attention. Amory allowed 75 points in its first two games and 58 combined over the next five. Different opponents make those totals an imperfect comparison, but the Panthers have given themselves far more manageable games since early September.
Junior quarterback J.B. Boykin is among the names for Shannon fans to know. Amory’s roster also includes senior receivers Traysten Crump and Tyler Parks, junior receiver and defensive back Brayden Gates, and sophomore running back and linebacker F.J. Eddie.
Against a defense coming off four interceptions, Amory’s decisions with the ball will matter as much as its ability to move it. Keeping possessions alive without forcing a throw would give the Panthers a chance to make Shannon defend the length of the field.
Region position is taking shape
A Shannon win would mean a 2–0 region record heading into next week’s meeting with Itawamba AHS. Amory can get to 2–1 tonight, with a nonregion game against Corinth next before its final region trip to Itawamba.
There is still football to play after this one. Even so, neither team has many league opportunities left to spare.
Watch the possessions after a turnover or a long return. Shannon showed last week how quickly those plays can change a game. Amory’s task is to limit those openings and make its own recent progress hold up against a team that has become comfortable in a close finish.
Tonight in Amory
Shannon at Amory kicks off Friday, October 16, at 7 p.m. Central. Amory’s band is scheduled to perform before kickoff.
The first Hardwired 662 Pregame Show debuts tonight at 6 p.m. Central, featuring insights and expert analysis from Brandon Speck of the Hardwired 662 page.
NMSN’s Game of the Week coverage follows at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff at 7. Watch free at WatchNMSN.com/watch, on NMSN’s scheduled YouTube broadcast, or on Facebook. Game of the Week coverage is presented by Impact Health Clinics.
