We have now hit the stretch run for Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) football for the 2016 season.
Classes 2A, 3A and 4A complete regular-season play Friday. For Classes 1A, 5A and 6A, the calendar now includes two weeks of play.
It is the usual mix bag as area teams prepare for the playoffs – some are in great shape, some are in good shape and others need to win and get help.
Here is a quick look at what is the on line when 7 o’clock hits Friday night:
Region 1-6A: Columbus has significantly helped its playoff chances by winning back-to-back games for the first time this season. While the 49-33 home win over Southaven and 48-35 road win over Olive Branch were not perfect games, the Falcons did what they had to do to save the season.
Now, Columbus has so much more to play for in the final two weeks of the season. Wins over South Panola and Hernando, coupled with Tupelo beating Horn Lake Friday night, would give the Falcons the No. 2 seed in the region.
Columbus is playing on a high level offensively. However, some offensive-challenged opponents have had strong showings against the Falcons’ defense. South Panola will bring another similar team to town Friday night.
Columbus makes the playoffs with a win in either of its final two games. However, the Falcons have so much more to play for now.
Region 2-6A: Starkville blew through the competition in this region a year ago and eventually won the Class 6A state championship. To get back to that point, some serious work will need to be done.
Entering this week, Starkville is tied with Northwest Rankin for the fourth and final playoff seed from the region. The three-way tie for first place includes Clinton, Warren Central and Madison Central.
However, Northwest Rankin won the head-to-head game and owns the tie-breaker.
Starkville will play host to Warren Central this week and Clinton next week. Each team are consensus Top 3 in the rankings. It is a daunting task to say the least.
Even a split of the final two might make the Yellow Jackets hard-pressed to play in the postseason. Any help with Northwest Rankin is doubtful since it plays Murrah Nov. 4.
Region 1-5A: West Point is rolling to its first region title since 2012. Winners of seven straight, West Point is 8-1 overall and 5-0 in the region. The final two region games are home to New Hope and at Lewisburg.
One victory either week will clinch the top seed and a first-round playoff game at home for the Green Wave.
It is typical West Point. The team has shown out in some big games and survived some tough road games. The Green Wave continues to be more diverse on offense. That will cause teams a lot of problems in the Class 5A playoffs.
A much-improved New Hope team may be on the outside looking in for the postseason. After winning three games last season, the Trojans are 5-4 overall and 2-3 in region play this season.
New Hope will play at West Point, before finishing the season at home to Saltillo. The Trojans must win out and get some help with Clarksdale to have a pulse for the playoffs.
Region 4-4A: Noxubee County (6-4, 4-0 region) can secure the region championship and No. 1 seed by beating Houston (8-2, 3-1) Friday night at home. Louisville is also tied with Houston and finishes the regular season with a road trip to Kosciusko. Thus, a Houston win would most likely create a three-way tie. It come down to points to determine who hosts in the first round of the playoffs.
The Caledonia playoff situation is more simple.
Caledonia (4-5, 1-3) plays at Leake Central (4-6, 1-3) with the winner earning the fourth seed and a first-round playoff game on the road. Caledonia is bidding to return to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Region 4-3A: The region race similar to the 4-4A battle. North Pontotoc is 4-0 in region play. However, Mooreville and South Pontotoc are right behind, each at 3-1. In the final week of the regular season, North Pontotoc goes to South Pontotoc Friday night, with the home team trying to force a three-way tie.
From a local standpoint, the interest is on the fourth spot.
Aberdeen (2-8, 1-3) plays at Nettleton (1-7, 1-3) with the winner earning the region’s No. 4 seed and a first-round playoff game on the road.
Region 1-1A: West Lowndes (6-2, 4-1) can wrap up a first-round playoff game at home by winning either of its final two games – at Coffeville and home to Thrasher.
West Lowndes would need to win twice and have Smithville lose twice to claim the region’s top seed.
Since Coffeeville is winless, Friday should be a good chance to rest some players, put up some points and get the team ready to host a first-round playoff game.
For West Lowndes, that would be quite the accomplishment.
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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