We are rapidly reaching the end of the prep football season.
Some teams already are looking ahead to the playoffs, while others know a win or two is needed right away to ensure a postseason berth.
Most of our area teams are traveling this week, so a lot of coaches will talk about the challenges of winning on the road.
Regardless of the venue, now is the time, and some teams really need to get busy.
Here is what we are watching for in Week No. 9:
Chargers or Falcons
1. Will Columbus bounce back?
The most disappointing loss of the Randal Montgomery era took place late in 2014 when Northwest Rankin won 20-7 at Falcon Field.
The loss, which saw the Falcons commit seven turnovers, essentially eliminated them from playoff consideration.
Columbus had pretty much played to its potential last week until a stunning 44-35 loss at Horn Lake.
To lose on the road is one thing. To lose to one player gaining 283 yards in his first career start in another.
Columbus still has time to get help against Horn Lake to pass it in the Class 6A, Region 1 standings. Columbus likely doesn’t have enough time to catch region leader Tupelo not likely.
Columbus’ margin for error is gone Friday night against Southaven. The Falcons have to make the most of their Homecoming game.
Yellow Jackets or Jaguars
2. Will the Starkville-Madison Central rivalry deliver a good game?
Please bring back 2013 now.
The Starkville-Madison Central game hasn’t delivered in each of the last two seasons, with Starkville winning 28-0 in 2014 and 28-10 in 2015.
The 2013 matchup was the epic 45-42 Starkville victory decided on a controversial final play.
On paper, this should be an outstanding matchup. Each team is 2-1 in Class 6A, Region 2 play and needs a victory to stay in the upper echelon.
We will overlook Starkville’s last outing — a 70-0 victory against Greenville. This challenge will be far more difficult.
With Clinton and Warren Central upcoming, Starkville needs to prove it belongs.
This rivalry needs a good game. Perhaps, Friday night will be the night.
Tigers or Wildcats
3. Are we feeling upset in the ‘Toothpick Bowl’?
Noxubee County last lost a Class 4A, Region 4 game in 2011. The streak is at 23 straight for the Tigers.
The last team to hand Noxubee County a region loss is Friday night’s opponent — Louisville. The Wildcats grabbed a 14-12 victory that season.
In recent years, it has been all Noxubee County, so this rivalry needs a compelling game.
Noxubee County has again weathered the storm of a brutal non-region schedule to start 2-0 in the region. Louisville also has overcome a slow start to post a 2-0 mark.
The big winners here will be the ticket takers. Look for an overflow crowd at tonight’s game at Heinze Stadium.
No, not feeling the upset, but it should be an exciting game.
Confederates or Whippets
4. Will Caledonia finally close the deal?
This would be an excellent time for Caledonia to make a statement and stay in the Class 4A, Region 4 race.
It hasn’t been an ordinary week for one-win Kosciusko, with a coaching change taking place Monday.
Caledonia simply needs some good fortune. The Confederates keep coming close but each game one element is missing here or there.
A playoff berth can still be obtained. However, like Columbus, Caledonia doesn’t have a lot of room for error. Friday is it. Time to get it done.
Panthers or Rams
5. Does West Lowndes have a magic moment?
West Lowndes finds itself in the difficult part of the Class 1A, Region 1 schedule.
On back-to-back weeks, it will face region unbeatens Smithville and Vardaman. Last week in a 55-31 loss to Smithville, West Lowndes led 23-21 at halftime lead, but things unraveled shortly after that.
After playing at Vardaman on Friday night, West Lowndes should have no problem winning out and at least finishing third in the region.
To do better than third, however, the Falcons need to win this game.
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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