Over the years, River Oaks has been more than a thorn in the side of Porters Chapel Academy. It’s been, for the most part, an automatic loss.

The Mustangs have beaten PCA all three times they’ve played in the last decade, all by 35 points or more. Randy Wright, who has been at PCA for 13 years as an assistant and head coach, has never beaten River Oaks. He’ll get another crack tonight when PCA hosts River Oaks in its home opener.

Wright said he wasn’t focusing on the long losing streak to River Oaks, which includes a 40-0 loss in Monroe last season. In its three meetings with River Oaks, PCA has not scored a point.

“It’s not something we focus on because they’re not a district game. We’re going to try to do the best job we can,” Wright said. “This is not the Super Bowl.”

River Oaks coach Robert Hannah credited his team’s success against PCA to having strong teams, and a little bit of luck. From 2004-06, when PCA reached the state semifinals twice and the playoffs all three years, the teams did not play. The series resumed in 2007, when PCA was rebuilding. They played in Week 2, before the Eagles got on a roll that eventually led to another playoff appearance.

“I’ve had some pretty good teams, and Porters Chapel was a little bit down when we used to play. I think it goes in cycles on all of that,” said Hannah, who led River Oaks to a Class A championship in 2006. He added with a laugh, “I really didn’t request them to be on my schedule this time.”

Both teams used a strong running game to get off to strong starts in their openers last week. PCA routed Claiborne, 42-14, behind three touchdowns from Josh Perry and two from quarterback Clayton Holmes. PCA ran for more than 300 yards as a team, with Perry and Holmes each going over 100.

“Our offensive line did an outstanding job opening holes,” Wright said. “We had a helmet on a helmet every time. Nobody was standing around looking for somebody to block.”

River Oaks, meanwhile, got three rushing touchdowns from quarterback Cody Trichell and two from John Rocket to crush Riverdale 47-6. Hannah said the Mustangs simply had more talent and speed than Riverdale, but this week would be a different story.

“I think our offense was a little ahead of what they do, and our speed was a little ahead of Riverdale. That’s going to be different this week. I think it’ll be a great test for us at this time of year,” Hannah said. “(PCA) has some good-looking athletes. It looks like they’ve got it going on.”

Claiborne at Tallulah Academy

Tallulah Academy earned a moral victory, if not a statistical one, in its season opener against defending MPSA Class A champion Glenbrook last week.

The Trojans were within a touchdown at halftime before Glenbrook scored two quick touchdowns in the middle of the third quarter and pulled away for a 26-6 win. Tallulah coach Doug Branning said he was pleased with the effort the Trojans showed, and didn’t believe there would be a letdown tonight against Claiborne.

“We played as hard as we could. We can play better. We can execute better. But we’re still a work in progress,” Branning said. “I don’t anticipate a letdown. We’ve had some good practices this week, and that’s what we’re focused on. One practice at a time, one day at a time.”

Central Hinds at Prentiss

Central Hinds has been successful so far despite making a number of miscues. In a jamboree against Adams Christian and Hillcrest, the Cougars short-circuited several scoring drives with fumbles and penalties. Then, in the season opener against Humphreys, they had a punt blocked for a touchdown and were stagnant on offense, yet still gutted out a 9-6 victory.

Central Hinds raced out to a 31-0 lead against Prentiss Christian last season, before settling in for a 31-12 win.

C. Springs at Port Gibson

Port Gibson has struggled over the last three seasons against everyone except Crystal Springs. Port Gibson is 2-28 overall since 2005, with both wins coming against Crystal Springs. The Blue Waves’ only win last season was a 14-7 decision over the Tigers in the season opener. Port Gibson did not score an offensive touchdown in that game, getting its points on returns of an interception and a blocked punt, and a safety.

Hinds AHS at Amite Co.

The War Dawgs open the 2008 season against a team it was manhandled by a season ago.

Hinds will travel to Amite County for the first game of the season tonight. The War Dawgs lost 38-6 last season to Amite County.

SIA at Briarfield

SIA headmaster Lance Prine will get a look at his former team when the Confederates (0-1) head to Lake Providence to battle the Rebels (1-0) tonight. This is the Academy-2A opener for both teams.