You see them seated on the gymnasium bleachers. They starewistfully at unseen marks on the walls. Often they glance at theirwristwatches and breathe deep sighs, letting the air whistlebetween their teeth.

A schedule, taped to the wall, has a long list of basketballgames for the 2001-02 season. Dark lines, either ink or pencil, arescratched through several school names and dates on theschedule.

Such is the plight of boys basketball coaches at Bogue Chitto,Enterprise, Loyd Star, Wesson and Brookhaven Academy. Theirschool’s football teams are in the state playoffs and many of themare minus key players who are either throwing, catching, toting,kicking or chasing the oblong ball across the chilly gridiron.

This is a special time of the year for high school footballteams. What makes it more remarkable is the number of local teamsstill going strong. Most of them have a legitimate chance atwinning Friday night and advancing to the next round.

Certainly, these football players have worked hard. They begansweating profusely in early August. That came after an intenseoffseason weight training and conditioning program.

So tee it up and be there Friday night to support your favoriteteam. Bogue Chitto (10-1) hosts Union (6-5) and Enterprise (7-4)visits Puckett (10-0) in Class 1A; Wesson (10-1) hosts ScottCentral (6-5) and Loyd Star (9-2) invades Newton (9-2) in 2A.Brookhaven Academy (10-1) visits Simpson County Academy (9-2) inClass AA.

Potentially, some of these teams could be playing in the statechampionship games the first Friday in December.

In the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s stateplayoffs, tickets are $5 in advance if purchased at the school and$7 at the gate Friday night. Loyd Star and other schools areselling the MHSAA state playoff t-shirts for $15.

The Mississippi Private School Association says playoff ticketsare $5 for adults and students at the gate. Kickoff is 30 minutesearlier, starting at 7 p.m.

There should be some extra large crowds at these games. In lastFriday’s regular-season finale at Enterprise, featuring the hostYellow Jackets versus the Bogue Chitto Bobcats, around 2,000 folkswitnessed the epic struggle on Harry Cole Field. According toEnterprise principal Bruce Falvey, 1,050 tickets werepurchased.

If Enterprise and Bogue Chitto both win Friday night, fans willwitness a rematch between the Lincoln County rivals, at Enterprise.A similar situation is possible in Class 2A if Wesson and Loyd Starboth win tomorrow night. That rematch would take place at LoydStar.

The National Guard might be activated to handle the hugecrowd.

Professor Hoopla, B.S., was looking for a XXXL t-shirt but thetent maker was out of town. Hoopla also needs a wrap-aroundcamouflage blind for use during the deer season. All it needs isarm holes. Here’s his preview of Friday night’s playoffwinners.

Union at Bogue Chitto: The Yellowjackets will provide adifficult game for the homestanding Bobcats who will win by awhisker. Bogue Chitto 22-18.

Enterprise at Puckett: This is an upset special. Unbeaten Wolvesare caught off guard. Enterprise 27-21.

Loyd Star at Newton: Should be a whale of a game, especially ondefense. Loyd Star 17-14.

Scott Central at Wesson: Cobras have been overlooked in thepolls this year. Wesson 23-12.

Brookhaven Academy at Simpson Co. Academy: Cougars need aperfect game to produce a major upset. Brookhaven Academy21-20.

Hoopla oils his deer rifle, sights it in and takes aim atSaturday’s collegiate scene.

Georgia at Ole Miss: Rebels have had an open date to recoverfrom their 7-overtime heart-breaker. Ole Miss 27-17.

Mississippi State at Arkansas: Razorbacks have too much offensefor the Bulldogs to handle. Arkansas 28-10.

Tulane at Southern Miss: Golden Eagles produce a strongperformance at The Rock. Southern Miss 35-12.

Alcorn State at Jackson State: Braves have visions of a SWACchampionship dancing in their dreams but the Tigers look like theGrinch. Jackson State 38-28.

Alabama State at Valley State: A woeful season for the DeltaDevils comes to an awful end. Alabama State 58-6.