RILEY OVEREND | The Greenwood Commonwealth

Junior running back Dayne Sanford (6) and Pillow Academy visit top-seeded Leake Academy on Friday for a second-round playoff matchup against the team to beat in Class 5A. (Andy Lo)

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Prep football preview: Pillow preps for trip to top-seeded Leake
By RILEY OVEREND - Sports Editor
Thu,11/04/21-2:00AM , 1033 Reads
Pillow Academy erased a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter last week, rallying back in thrilling fashion for a first-round playoff victory over Central Hinds.
The Mustangs’ reward? A trip to Madden, where they’ll face top-seeded Leake Academy (9-1) with their season on the line again Friday night.
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Pillow Academy senior guard Madeline Mattox will be counted on this season to provide leadership as the Lady Mustangs go for a state title. (Andy Lo)

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Pillow Academy Girls: Veteran coach believes this team can make run at title
By RILEY OVEREND - Sports Editor
Wed,11/03/21-2:00AM , 1743 Reads
For now, MAIS Class 5A girls basketball still appears to run through defending Overall champion Leake Academy. But Pillow Academy head coach Durwin Carpenter has seen enough in his 28 years leading the Lady Mustangs to know that this year’s group has the talent to go all the way.
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Javeon “Redd” Smith, left, and JT Lawrence transferred back to Greenwood High School after leading Delta Streets Academy to a MAIS Class 1A state championship in 2020-2021. (Andy Lo)

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Lawrence, Smith return to lead Bulldogs
By RILEY OVEREND - Sports Editor
Tue,11/02/21-2:00AM , 2980 Reads
At times this offseason, Greenwood High School head coach Fred Ford has hardly recognized JT Lawrence, his senior star who transferred back from Delta Streets Academy this summer. More than Lawrence’s transformation into the state’s top scorer, Ford has been impressed by his growth as a leader on the court.
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Mississippi Valley State quarterback Jalani Eason (1) threw for a season-high 215 yards and one touchdown in last week’s 31-28 loss to Florida A&M. (Andy Lo)

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College football: Delta Devils host rival Tigers Saturday
By RILEY OVEREND - Sports Editor
Fri,10/29/21-2:00AM , 1195 Reads
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders will miss his second straight game Saturday when his Tigers visit Itta Bena to face Mississippi Valley State at Rice-Totten Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. in the latest installment of an annual rivalry that the Delta Devils haven’t won since 2014.
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