Several local and area public school football teams kick off the2005 season Friday night. Local teams making their debuts includeBrookhaven at Franklin County, Bogue Chitto at North Pike andEnterprise at Wesson. In an early game, West Lincoln and Loyd Starkick off their season tonight at Loyd Star.

In other area games, Lawrence County is at West Jones and SouthPike invades McComb. Hazlehurst has an open date.

Enterprise first-year head football coach Roe Burns and hisFighting Yellow Jackets are ready for their season opener.

“We want to be competitive every game,” said Burns. “If we are,we have the opportunity to win. We are inexperienced at QB. We’llkeep it real simple.”

Starting on the Jacket offensive line is senior Chris Fuller(170) at center, senior Wayne Nations (200) at right guard, seniorVincent Smith (410) at right tackle, senior Brandon Smith (190) attight end, sophomore Trey Boyd (220) at left guard, senior AntonioSanders (250) at left tackle and junior Zack Jackson (135) at splitend.

Senior Blake McGee (170) is the starting quarterback. Atfullback is senior Drew Waldrop (205). Starting at wingback issenior Alex Powell (180). Senior Terrell May (210) is the tailback.Punting is senior Seth Hopkins (180).

In the defensive backfield, at cornerbacks are senior Zack Moak(140) and Powell. Free safety is McKee. At strong safety is seniorBronson Russell (180). Working at linebacker are junior Cris Moak(140), Nations and Waldrop.

Directing the linemen at noseguard is Antonio Sanders andVincent Smith. Defensive tackles are sophomore Ky Mathis (220) andsenior Aaron Close (22). Defensive tackles are Trey Boyd and seniorChase Lofton (170). At end is junior Colby Sullivan (190).

The Jacket placekicker is senior Seth Hopkins (180) and theholder is freshman Taylor Herrington (115).

“Wesson is awful big,” said Burns. “Coach (Tommy) Clopton does avery good job. He is a fine young man.

“It is going to be a good football game,” added Burns. “If it islow scoring, we have the opportunity to be competitive.”

Wesson head coach Tommy Clopton said his Cobrasare ready for a real game.

“The kids have worked hard for four weeks,” said Clopton. “Weare looking forward to our first game at home.”

Starting in Wesson’s offensive backfield are junior Micah Davisat quarterback, senior Blake Brister at fullback, junior Otho Smithat tailback and seniors Mason Warren and Brandon Hood at widereceiver.

The offensive line includes senior John Michael Cliburn at tightend, junior Timothy Thompson and senior Phillip Freeman at tackles,seniors Josh Sanders and Bobby Harris at guard and senior BrandoMalbourgh at center.

On defense, the linemen include Sanders and Freeman at ends.Tackles are junior John Knight and senior Benton Bell. Playinginside linebackers are Harris and Cliburn. Strong safety is seniorMack Jackson. Freshman Roy Williams is the whip. Senior ChancePeets is at strong safety. Playing cornerback are Davis andSmith.

“If we play well on offense, defense and special teams, weshould come out with a win,” added Clopton.

Bogue Chitto renews its old rivalry with theNorth Pike Jaguars in Summit. Information on the starting lineupsfor both teams was unavailable at press time.

Lawrence County head coach Mike Davis watchedthe West Jones Mustangs in a football jamboree last week and saidhe was impressed by the 2004 South State 4A runners-up.

“West Jones lost a bunch of good players on offense,” saidDavis. “But their defense looks extremely strong. We will have adifficult time moving the football on them.”

Senior standout Taebyus Smith of Lawrence County suffered aseason-ending broken leg in the Petal Jamboree last week. Smithstarted at running back and linebacker.