Walnut answered a shutout with a road win Friday, beating previously unbeaten Holly Springs 22–14 and giving coach John Meeks his 90th career victory.
The Wildcats improved to 2–1 with the Sept. 11 win, a week after losing 29–0 at Belmont. Their eight-point victory supplied Tippah County’s lone win on a three-game varsity football night: Ripley fell 42–7 at Lewisburg, while Falkner lost 41–6 at Bruce.
For Meeks, the result added another milestone to a season that began with a county record. Walnut’s opening victory over First Assembly Christian was his 89th, all with the Wildcats, and made him Tippah County’s winningest high school football coach, as TippahSports previously reported. Friday moved that total to 90.
Walnut also handed Holly Springs its first defeat after the Hawks opened with wins over Mantachie and Byers. Both teams left the game at 2–1. The Wildcats have now beaten Holly Springs in consecutive seasons, following last year’s 34–20 victory.
Ripley’s game was decided much earlier. Lewisburg scored 28 points in the first quarter and added 14 in the second, building a 42–0 halftime lead. The Tigers scored their seven points in the fourth quarter.
The loss dropped Ripley to 1–2 and marked its second consecutive defeat after an opening win over Mooreville. Lewisburg improved to 2–1. Across the past two games, against Grenada and Lewisburg, the Tigers have allowed 92 points while scoring 15.
Bruce stayed unbeaten at 3–0 by defeating Falkner. The Eagles, now 1–2, have followed their 40–0 opening victory over Middleton with consecutive road losses at Alcorn Central and Bruce.
Next Friday, Sept. 18, Walnut completes its three-game road stretch at Alcorn Central, while Ripley returns home to face East Webster. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. Central. Falkner’s next listed game is Sept. 25 at home against East Union, also at 7 p.m.
