At last, there’s a nip in the air.

That means some of the most important games of the regularseason are on tap this weekend. Powerhouse teams are jockeying forposition as the state playoffs loom on the horizon.

Brookhaven (6-1) hosts undefeated South Pike Friday (7-0) Fridaynight and the Region 6-4A’s top rung is up for grabs. The Panthersare 4-0 and the Eagles are 3-0 in the region.

A huge crowd is expected tomorrow night at King Field. In fact,extra bleachers have been trucked in to seat followers behind eachend zone.

There is a 6:15 pep rally planned at King Field, led by theelementary school cheerleaders. Tailgating is being permitted alongthe streets surrounding King Field. Tailgaters are asked to keepthe streets and campus clean.

A few reserved seating tickets are available at the BHSprincipal’s office for $6. On Friday, $5 general admission ticketscan be purchased in advance from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to avoid longlines that night.

If you remember last year, Brookhaven beat South Pike 2-0 in anepic defensive struggle in the second round of the state playoffs.Both teams are capable of lighting up the scoreboard this year soit could be a high-scoring affair.

We have encountered several folks who aren’t regular followersof the Panthers but they are planning on making Friday night aspecial occasion. Be there or be square.

Attendance should surpass the 2,000 mark by several hundred. TheBrookhaven-Vicksburg game, back on Sept. 5, attracted the largestcrowd of the season to King Field. A total of 1,620 tickets weresold. Add two large high school bands, the usual number of compsand the crowd exceeded 2,000. They witnessed a wild, 55-47,triple-overtime thriller as Brookhaven suffered its only loss ofthe season.

Speaking of tickets, the Loyd Star-Wesson game at Loyd Star’sWilliam E. “Sambo” Smith Field two weeks ago attracted an overflowcrowd. There was a paid attendance of 1,450. Throw in the bandsfrom both schools, senior citizen comps plus some free admissionsand the total number approached 2,000. Obviously, Mississippi folkslove football.

In search of a bratwurst sausage, Professor Hoopla B.S., droppedoff his weekly list of football predictions as he followed his noseto the closest tailgate party. Loyd Star definitely knows how totailgate.

Last week Hoopla predicted the winners of 22 games and missedonly 2. He aims to improve on that mark this week, starting withsome Thursday night specials.

West Lincoln at Dexter: The win-starved Bears find a victory inWalthall County. West Lincoln 36-12.

Salem at Bogue Chitto: As a salute to this week’s Franklinton,La., fair, the Bobcats and Wildcats exhibit some offensivefireworks. Bogue Chitto 35-27.

Holmes at Co-Lin: Bulldogs escape Stone Stadium with a narrowvictory. Holmes 24-21.

Southwest at Gulf Coast: Bears snap at 2-game losing streak witha win tonight in Perkinston. Southwest 27-16.

South Pike at Brookhaven: Eagles and Panthers light up thescoreboard Friday night with an offensive showcase. Brookhaven28-20.

Brookhaven Academy at University Christian: Cougars chalk uptheir second straight victory. Brookhaven Academy 31-8.

Madison St. Joseph at Loyd Star: Homecoming has a happy endingfor the unbeaten Hornets. Loyd Star 42-12.

Enterprise at St. Aloysius: The long bus ride to Vicksburg willreward the Yellow Jackets. Enterprise 36-14.

St. Andrew’s at Wesson: Saints invade Stone Stadium and skin theCobras. St. Andrew’s 22-10.

Terry at Lawrence County: In Monticello, the Cougars nail theBulldogs to the wall on homecoming night. Lawrence County42-14.

Port Gibson at Franklin County: Bulldogs scheduled anappropriate homecoming opponent in the Blue Wave. Franklin County32-6.

North Pike at Hazlehurst: Indians overcome an early deficit towin their homecoming game. Hazlehurst 27-7.

In other area action, George County should ambush McComb 31-21,Parklane should clip Hillcrest 20-13 and Raymond should whipCrystal Springs 38-6.

Saturday’s Mississippi collegiate scene should go like this.

Alabama at Ole Miss: In an offensive show, Rebels outscore theCrimson Tide 42-33.

Mississippi State at Auburn: Tommy Tuberville’s Tigers arecontending for the SEC West crown. Auburn 36-10.

Southern U. at Jackson State: Jaguars have an offensive edge forthe host Tigers. Southern U. 32-19.

In other games, Delta State should stop Southern Arkansas 28-20,Texas Southern should stop Alcorn State 28-18, Valley State shoulddump Paul Quinn 29-12, McMurray should clip Mississippi College22-20, Rose-Hulman should outscore Millsaps 31-24 and Cumberlandshould shave Belhaven 17-14. Southern Miss has an open date todevelop an offense.