`The heart beat has increased and so has the pulse rate.Football teams are picking it up a notch and so are thecoaches.

Obviously, the state football playoffs have arrived. It isamazing how enthusiastic and upbeat the head coaches are when theyhave teams in the playoffs. Long distance telephone calls to Lake,Gulfport and Gautier were returned before mid-morning Wednesday.Sometimes you have to wait a day or two before some coaches respondto your calls.

In Lincoln County, Bogue Chitto plays at Lake in Class 1A, LoydStar plays at Gulfport St. John in 2A and Brookhaven is at Gautierin 4A Friday night. Division runners-up must travel for the openinground of the playoffs.

Coaches Donald Nelson of Gautier, Buddy Singleton of St. Johnand Steve Nelson of Lake were extremely cooperative. They were morethan happy to discuss their teams with the media. They providedteam statistics, scouting reports and a personal opinion of theirteams and the opponents.

By comparison, Carl Cole of Bogue Chitto, Anthony Hart of LoydStar and Greg Wall of Brookhaven did the same. Certainly, winningis more fun than losing. Obviously, Cole, Hart and Wall have apassion for the game of football and that helps them besuccessful.

Most football teams began practice the first week of August.Only a select few are left. Who will be the Cinderella team of the2000 season?

Last year Coach Danny Adams and his Lawrence County Cougarsproduced an unprecedented march to the Class 4A state championship.They finished 14-0 and were the toast of Monticello, winning theirfirst-ever state football title.

Neither Brookhaven nor Loyd Star were expected to have much of aseason. Both the Panthers and Hornets were hit hard by graduation.A lot of intangibles have fallen in place, players have stepped upand….shazam!

Bogue Chitto was expected to contend for the Division 7-1A titlein 2000 but the Bobcats started slowly, even painfully. The deathof two players and a cheerleader on the same Wednesday nightdevastated the community before the season began. The Bobcats losttheir first two games before finding that first victory.

It’s been a roller-coaster season for the Bobcats. They didmanage to make the playoffs as runners-up to division championDexter. Bogue Chitto should be stronger next year.

Professor Hoopla, B.S., hopes to be stronger next year, too. Hewants to avoid fatigue and maintain that high level of physicalendurance. He predicted the winners of 19 games last week andmissed seven of them, showing obviously signs of a late seasonletdown.

Here’s a list of this weekend’s winners. starting with aThursday night special.

Arkansas-Monticello at Delta State: Statesmen haven’t had muchtime to recover from their first loss of the season. Delta State20-10.

Brookhaven at Gautier: Gators could be stronger than last year’sstate playoff team. Gautier 28-18.

Loyd Star at Gulfport St. John: The Eagles and Hornets clashFriday night on Harrison Central’s field. In a nail-biter, St. John22-21.

Bogue Chitto at Lake: These Hornets should be stronger than theLincoln County variety. Lake 21-6.

D’Iberville at McComb: Tigers are one of the favorites to winthe Class 4A state championship. McComb 31-17.

Southwest at Itawamba: Still smarting from a loss to Hinds, theBears regroup in Fulton and scalp the Indians Saturday in the firstround of the state playoffs. Southwest 21-10.

LSU at Ole Miss: Rebels have a knack for pulling out narrowvictories against favored opponents. Ole Miss 27-24.

Alabama at Miss. State: Jackie Sherrill records a win over hisalma mater and fans rumors about his interest in coaching theCrimson Tide. State 28-14.

Southern Miss at Alabama-Birmingham: Golden Eagles rebound froma disappointing loss to Louisville. Southern Miss 29-13.

New Haven at Jackson State: Tigers tune up for the annualSouthwest Classic. Jackson State 48-6.

In other Magnolia State action, Alabama A&M will whip AlcornState 28-6, Belhaven will bounce North Greenville 22-7, Trinitywill take Millsaps 17-7, Louisiana College will clip MississippiCollege 14-10 and Valley State will ambush Alabama State 27-24.