With their homecoming game with Ethel cancelled last week, the Winona Tigers had an extra week to prepare for their biggest game of the season.
The Tigers will host Humphreys County on Friday night in their only division 3-3A game of the year. Ruleville Central, Amanda Elzy and Coahoma County all opted out of the football season, leaving just two teams to vie for the division title.
“This will be for the whole thing,” Winona Coach Joey Tompkins said. “The winner gets first and the loser second. They have played a full season like us, so it’s not like they haven’t played. It’s not a perfect situation but it is what it is.”
Humphreys is 1-4 on the season with their lone win coming over Coldwater (38-0). They have losses to Jefferson County (46-20), Crystal Springs (47-6), Yazoo County (13-12) and Greenville (20-14).
“As always, they are going to be athletic,” Tompkins said. “They have a new coach this year and he is doing a good job with them. They aren’t going to be as physical as some of the other teams we have played, but they will be one of the most athletic teams. You just kind of have to hold your breath when we are on defense because they can really run.”
With the off week, Tompkins said the Tigers spent time working on “the small things” that you might not get to work on in a game week. He also spent more time with freshman quarterback Chase Richardson, who is now the starter after Jekeyvion Burnley had surgery to repair an ankle injury.
“I thought we had a good week of practice,” Tompkins said. “We practice Monday through Thursday about an hour and a half every day. We got some things done we don’t usually get to do. We went over some things that sometimes get neglected on game week.”
After Humphreys County, Winona will have another off week and will then play Pisgah in the regular-season finale.
