The Wesson Cobras entertain the Hinds AHS War Dawgs Friday nightin an important Region 6-2A game with playoff implications for bothteams. Wesson is No. 4 in the region race and Hinds AHS is No. 2.The game begins at 7:30 p.m. in Stone Stadium on the Co-Lincampus.

In other Region 6-2A games Friday,McLaurin visits unbeaten LoydStar and Madison St. Joseph is atSt. Andrew’s.

In other area games, Brookhaven is at Lawrence County, FranklinCounty travels to Wilkinson County, North Pike entertains AmiteCounty and South Pike hosts McComb.

Friday’s originally scheduled game with Hazlehurst at CrystalSprings will be played tonight to allow students to celebrateHalloween Friday.

The top 4 teams from each region advance to the state playoffs,beginning Friday, Nov. 7 for 2A, 3A and 4A teams. The top 2 teamsfrom each region will host a first-round game while the No. 3 andNo. 4 squads go on the road.

Wesson head football coach Ronald Greer talked about the toughHinds AHS War Dawgs. “Their overall team speed is impressive. Theyrun Wing-T stuff real well. They have talented quarterbacks, two ofthem.

” They’re aggressive and very physical,” continued Greer. “Theyrotate on defense with a 4-3 and 5-3 look. The middle linebacker(74) is a man.”

In the win over Madison St. Joe last Friday, Blake Bristersparked Wesson with 16 carries for 95 yards and a pair oftouchdowns. Johnny Butler rushed 11 times for 137 yards and aTD.

Defensively, the Cobras got 11 tackles from Herman Johnson.Tuffy Thompson made 10 stops.

Last year, Wesson knocked off Hinds AHS 35-12.

Loyd Star, ranked No. 5 in the Associated PressLittle 10 Prep Poll, captured the Region 6-2A title last Fridaywith a 16-14 victory over Hinds AHS. The Hornets (9-0, 4-0) arecoached by Sidney Wheatley.

McLaurin (2-7, 1-3) fell to St. Andrew’s 42-21 last Friday andis No. 5 in the region.

Injured Loyd Star quarterback Justin Whatley may see limitedplaying time Friday night, possibly just punting, according to LoydStar head football coach Sidney Wheatley. Whatley, a senior,sustained a bruised right shoulder (his throwing shoulder) whilemaking a tackle in the first half of last Friday’s game with HindsAHS.

Derek Smith, DAILY LEADER Defensive Player of the Week, replacedWhatley at quarterback. Smith had 13 tackles.

Whatley kicked a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter thateventually won the game for the Hornets.

“McLaurin is an impressive offensive football team,” saidWheatley. “They can score a lot of points. They have put a lot ofpoints on people in the division. They have talent andquickness.

” We have to play well again,” continued Wheatley. “If we arenot well prepared and ready to play, it could be a long night forus. We want to be 10-0 going into the playoffs.”

In the win over Hinds AHS last Friday, Loyd Star was led by JoshTownsend with 16 rushes for 99 yards and a touchdown. Juron Collinsrushed for 41 yards on 11 carries and a TD.

Dewayne Britt collected 11 tackles for Loyd Star.

In last season’s game, Loyd Star fell to McLaurin 33-9.

McComb (6-3, 3-2) has the chance to move upfrom 4th to 3rd place in the Region 6-4A standings if the visitingTigers can defeat the host South Pike Eagles in the final regulargame of the season for both teams. Ted Milton coaches theTigers.

South Pike is 7-2 overall and 3-2 in region play. TheMagnolia-based Eagles are coached by Randall Huffman.

Last Friday, McComb whipped Terry 41-13 and Jackson Jim Hillupset South Pike 41-34.

South Pike crushed McComb 42-12 in last season’s matchup.