Tallulah Academy could not have asked for a better start to the football season. Not only have the Trojans won their first two games, they’ve won them in impressive fashion by outscoring their opponents 102-38.

The lopsided victories have allowed a young roster to gain experience and confidence, while also giving coaches the chance to tinker with lineups and build depth. It’s the best of all worlds, and they’re hoping to keep the good times rolling when they go on the road to face Franklin Academy (0-2) Friday at 7 p.m.

“We came together. I just hope we don’t lose it this week because we’ve got a real big game next week. I hope we stay focused and executing,” Tallulah coach Bart Wood said. “Being such a young team, the experience they’re getting is positive and it means a lot. They’re feeding off each other and everybody’s just in a good mood. It makes it a lot more enjoyable.”

Tallulah opened the season with a 48-26 win over Tensas Academy and followed it up with a 52-12 rout of Riverdale last week. Wood said getting big leads gave him the opportunity to experiment by moving players around to different positions. It’s helped build depth and strengthen the starting lineup.

Senior Mac Cagnolatti, for example, had a sack and two tackles for loss against Riverdale after moving from linebacker to the defensive line. Sophomore Cooper Ellerbee got time at running back and had four carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Tallulah rushed for 257 yards as a team.

“I moved (Cagnolatti) to defensive end, and then to defensive tackle, and he’s just exploded there. He’s doing great there. It’s like his spot. We moved him around and found where he fits. Having a lead like that, you’re able to try different things,” Wood said. “I wasn’t expecting to get to play players at different positions to look at them like I have, and it’s really helped me to find some players to play different positions by getting a lead. We found backups we didn’t know we had.”

The Trojans might get another opportunity to tweak things this week. Franklin Academy lost its first two games by a combined score of 98-6.

Franklin reached the second round of the MAIS Class 1A playoffs last season, but Wood said a wave of unexpected transfers has led to its rough start.

“Coming into the year, they were supposed to be one of the better teams we play this year. They had some real good skill position players and they all transferred out to different schools. It just depleted their team and they’re struggling,” Wood said. “But if we don’t go in there and take them serious, then we come out with a loss.”

FRIDAY’S GAMES
MAIS regular season – Games at 7 p.m.
Prentiss Christian at PCA (Radio: 104.4 FM)
Cathedral at St. Aloysius (Radio: 101.3 FM)
Tallulah Academy at Franklin Academy
Red Carpet Bowl – Games at 7:30 p.m.
Holmes County Central at Vicksburg (Radio: 107.7 FM)
Clinton at Warren Central (Radio: 105.5 FM)
• Red Carpet Bowl tickets are $10 for each game and are available online at GoFan.co
• Fans are also encouraged to review the Vicksburg Warren School District’s new clear bag policy before attending games this season