[02/09/01] If history is a guide, one thing is certain for Friday’s North State championship game between Vicksburg and Clinton: It will be close.

In the last 11 meetings, Clinton has won six including five straight while the Missy Gators (17-4) won five. The games have been just as close and heated as the series. Every game has been decided by one goal, four went to overtime, two were in shootouts and one gave the Lady Arrows (15-2-3) their only state championship in 1997.

Friday at Clinton, another chapter will be added in the intense rivalry between the two top soccer programs in the state over the past five years. The reward for the winner is a trip to the state championship game on Saturday.

“Nobody really thinks we can beat them and we want to go out and prove to everyone that we can,” Vicksburg’s Neely Nasif said.

Clinton has taken all three games this season, including in the Missy Gators’ own tournament, and a 1-0 win for the Division 3-5A title. Vicksburg coach Kevin Manton is quick to point out that in each of those games, his team was without at least one key player.

“Time after time, it’s one goal,” Manton said. “It could be 2-0 or 3-0, either way. We have to play well if we want to win. They are ranked No. 1 and they didn’t get there because someone gave it to them.”

The Missy Gators will be as close to full strength Friday as they have been all season. Michelle Beatty, who injured her ankle, will miss the rest of the season.

Courtney Chapman has three goals and three assists in two playoff wins. Brandi Parker, the Missy Gators’ leading goal scorer, has scored a goal in the two wins as well after missing four games with a knee injury. Vicksburg beat Tupelo, 5-1, then crushed Southaven, 6-1, to reach North State. Clinton breezed past Starkville, 3-0, then beat Madison Central, 2-1.

“We have never been this far and not been North State champions,” Manton said. “The first four years, we were North State champions. Last year, we didn’t get a chance to play for it.”

The winner of Friday’s game will play Saturday at 11 a.m. against the Harrison Central/Meridian winner. The title game will be at Clinton.

Should the Missy Gators win Friday and survive what Manton thinks will be a very physical game, he likes his team’s chances in the title game.

“Somehow, someway we have to find a way to beat Clinton,” Manton said. “I feel pretty sure that whichever one of us, if we don’t kill each other, wins should win on Saturday.

“They are very physical. Some of them are borderline dirty and we don’t play like that. But they do it enough to frustrate you.”