[11/12/04]UTICA Hinds AHS has a daunting task tonight when it takes the field against top-ranked and undefeated Seminary at 7 p.m.

But this town is not unused to pulling off a shocking win or two in its history.

In 1986 before most of this year’s team was born Utica High traveled to Bassfield to face a team that was riding two straight unbeaten seasons, a pair of state championships and a 28-game winning streak.

Utica walked away with a shocking 14-13 victory.

Bassfield went on to win its third straight state championship, but a noticeable blemish on their record was from Utica.

Coincidentally, Bassfield won its 28th straight game the week before against Seminary.

Tonight, in what is expected to be an overflow crowd at the Hinds AHS campus on Mississippi 18, Utica’s only high school will take aim at shocking another team with an impressive pedigree.

“They’re good, but they’re not as good as their reputation,” said Hinds AHS running back Austin Divinity, who leads the team with 1,075 yards and 24 total touchdowns. “We have to play. If we can come out and play like we know we can, I think we can be victorious.”

If the regular season is any guide, this should be an offensive show.

Hinds (8-3) averages almost 39 points per game, while Seminary averages almost 44 points per game. The Bulldogs have played one close game all season a 29-28 win over No. 4 Lumberton and have recorded four shutouts.

Hinds AHS recorded the first playoff win in school history last week with a 46-23 victory over Clarkdale. Tonight will mark the first time the school has hosted a playoff game.

“The last couple games, we’ve averaged 40-something points a game,” HAHS coach Michael Fields said. “We have to take care of our business. Win or lose, I love my guys.”

Fields said Seminary officials told him more than 1,000 were planning on making the trip from south Mississippi.

Fields said the atmosphere should be electric.

“I hope everyone in the area comes out and watches us,” Fields said. “They need to buy a bag of popcorn, a Coke, sit back, crack some peanuts and enjoy themselves.”

McCall travels to Red River in opener

A midseason slide in which McCall lost three of four games didn’t keep it from making the playoffs, but it could prevent them from going very far.

One of McCall’s losses was in District 4-2A play against Vidalia, which won the district title. Although McCall (6-3) still made the playoffs with an at-large bid and received a higher seed than Vidalia the loss might have cost the Dragons valuable power points.

As a result, McCall earned the No. 17 seed and will travel to face No. 16 Red River (8-2) tonight. If the Dragons win, they’ll play top seed Northeast next week.