Cooler weather won’t stop football fans from getting fired upfor the state football playoffs. The opening round kicks offtonight, with Brookhaven’s Panthers hosting the Mendenhall Tigerson King Field. Kickoff is 7 p.m., and a large crowd isexpected.

Coaches often refer to the state playoffs as “the secondseason.” Records and playoff seedings don’t matter. What counts iswinning the first round and advancing to the next round.Championship finals are Dec. 5-6 and Mississippi Veterans MemorialStadium in Jackson.

First place and runners-up in each region have the advantage ofhosting an opening round playoff game. Third and fourth place teamsmust play on the road.

Other area teams are in the state playoffs tonight. In Class 4A,Lawrence County visits defending state champion Wayne County andSouth Pike hosts Northeast Jones.

In Class 3A, Franklin County hosts Columbia in Meadville,Hazlehurst hosts Sumrall and Jefferson County is at GreeneCounty.