Tough Friday for Tippah: Ripley, Falkner and Walnut take first losses
Tippah County’s three varsity football teams entered Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, unbeaten, but all three finished the night at 1-1. Ripley fell to Grenada at home, while Falkner and Walnut were shut out on the road in non-district games.
Ripley dropped a 50-8 decision to visiting Grenada, which opened its season with a victory. The result came one week after the Tigers beat Mooreville 34-23 in their opener, leaving Ripley looking to regain its footing before another road test.
According to RCTV Stats, Skylar Barkley completed nine of 18 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. Cohen Wright caught three passes for 64 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Kyran McDonald then connected with Kennamore on the two-point conversion to trim Grenada’s lead to 22-8.
Grenada answered with two more touchdowns before halftime and led 36-8 at the break. Cole Rakestraw added three catches for 35 yards for Ripley, while Antwain Zinn recorded four solo tackles and a sack. McDonald rushed for 21 yards on eight carries.
Ripley next travels to Lewisburg on Sept. 11, with kickoff listed for 7 p.m. Central.
Falkner lost 41-0 at Alcorn Central, where the Golden Bears built a 14-0 first-quarter lead and carried a 20-0 advantage into halftime. Alcorn Central added 14 points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth while keeping the Eagles off the scoreboard.
Quarterback Ty Whitten accounted for four Alcorn Central touchdowns. According to the game’s MaxPreps statistics, he completed five of nine passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, and rushed seven times for 78 yards and two more scores.
Wyatt Hardin added two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown. Alcorn Central also recognized Jayden Taylor as its overall and defensive player of the game. The win brought the Golden Bears to 1-1; Falkner will face Bruce on Sept. 11.
Walnut fell 29-0 at Belmont, a week after opening with a 31-18 victory over First Assembly Christian. The Cardinals earned their first win of the season and matched the Wildcats’ 1-1 record.
Walnut’s next assignment is another away game, at Holly Springs on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Central. With Friday’s non-district results behind them, all three Tippah teams will have an opportunity to move back above .500 in their next outing.
