The New Hope Trojans - 2008 Preview

Last year, the New Hope Trojans shocked even their own community by posting a 6-4 record and narrowly missing the playoffs.
What can Trojan fans expect this year? Let's survey the opposition

First up, The Saltillo Tigers on August 29. The Trojans overcame the first of 9 halftime deficits to defeat Saltillo on the road last year. The Tigers will surely be looking for revenge, but can they win at Trojan Field, where New Hope lost only one game last year?

Next up, a road trip to historic Amory, MS to take on the Amory Panthers. Last year, the Panthers were stunned by New Hope 35-28. This will surely be a grudge match of epic proportions.

Week three brings the always powerful Columbus Falcons to Trojan Field. Columbus has dominated this rivalry in the past, winning 27-0 last year. Will the Falcons continue their winning ways, or will their past success breed arrogance, and open the door for another New Hope stunner?

Week four brings defending district champions West Point to town. The Green Wave is always loaded with great athletes and this year looks to be no exception. Will the friendly confines of Trojan Field catapult New Hope to victory? Or will West Point's spell over the young Men of Troy continue unabated?

Next,the Trojans go back on the road to 2007 Class 4-A State Runners-up, Noxubee County. The Trojans will no doubt have their hands full with Noxubee's blinding foot speed and a host of returning starters.

The Trojans then return home to face the Kosciusko Whippets. Everything about the Whippets is old-school, including their adherence to the time-honored tradition of in-your face, hard-nosed, smash-mouth football. The Whippets have brutalized the Trojans in recent years, including a punishing 42-0 shellacking last year. But the Trojans have made strides themselves. Perhaps they can balance the scales to their favor when Kosciusko visits on October3rd.

A long road trip to West Lauderdale is next on the Trojans' itinerary. Both New Hope and West Lauderdale have old scores to settle coming into this one. The Knights were stunned by New Hope's 20-17 victory at Trojan Field last year, but managed to spoil the Trojans' magical season by beating them out of the final spot in the state playoffs with a convincing victory over Kosciusko in their final regular season game of the year.

Returning home the following week, the Trojans will no doubt be locked and loaded for the Neshoba Central Rockets. Last year, the Trojans overcame a long road trip, questionable officiating and a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat the Rockets 19-10. Can the Trojans will their way to another win over these district rivals?

A short road trip in-county awaits the Trojans on October 24th. The Caledonia "possibly soon to be former" Confederates will be looking to overcome three consecutive years of one-point losses to the Trojans and pull out a win against their most intense rival. Can the Johnnie Rebs defy recent trends and break New Hope's spell? Or will the Trojans do a reprise of "The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down" once again?

The last game of the regular season on the Eve of All Hallows brings the Houston Hilltoppers to town. Houston, stung by New Hope's 17-14 overtime victory last year, will no doubt be looking for revenge. But will New Hope's new-found winning ways continue?