Football Game Preview: Ripley Tigers vs. Senatobia Warriors

The Ripley Tigers will take on the Senatobia Warriors at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Ripley has given up an average of 27.1 points per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.

Ripley is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 34 points last Friday, they were much more limited against Rosa Fort on Friday. They were beaten by the Lions 52-13.

Meanwhile, everything came up roses for Senatobia against Aberdeen on Friday as the team secured a 41-6 win. The Warriors might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won five contests by 22 points or more this season.

Ripley better keep an eye on Jay Irby. He was instrumental in Senatobia's win, rushing for 30 yards and two touchdowns, while also throwing for 163 yards and one TD on only ten passes. Those 163 passing yards gave Irby a new career-high. Bryson Wilks was another key player, rushing for 94 yards and one score.

Senatobia's victory was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 8-1. Those home wins came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 33.8 points over those games. As for Ripley, they have traveled a rocky road recently, having lost three of their last four games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 3-5 record this season.

Ripley didn't have too much breathing room in their matchup against Senatobia in their previous matchup back in September of 2022, but they still walked away with a 6-0 victory. Will the Tigers repeat their success, or do the Warriors have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.