Area football football fans will be happy as the 2005 scheduleresumes Friday night following a two-week layoff due to destructioncaused by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29.

Area action features Wesson at Richland, Loyd Star at NorthPike, Lumberton (replacing Prentiss) at Franklin County, LawrenceCounty at Magee, McComb at Madison Central, Warren Central at SouthPike, Hazlehurst at Vicksburg and Port Gibson at CrystalSprings.

Wesson (1-0) returns to action with a road tripto Richland. The Cobras defeated Enterprise 32-6 on Friday, Aug.26, in the season opener for both schools.

Last Friday, Richland clipped Enterprise Clarke 35-26.

“Richland (1-1) has a good football team,” said Wesson headcoach Tommy Clopton. “They have good team speed. No. 34 is theirtailback. He is what makes them go. If we can find a way to containhim, then we will have a chance to be competitive in the ballgame.

“We have our work cut out for us. We have to get focused. Wehave been off for three weeks. We need to get back to the task athand and try and win another football game.”

Powering Clopton’s Cobras to their win over Enterprise wastailback Otho Smith with 20 carries for 204 yards and fourtouchdowns. Smith was named the first DAILY LEADER Offensive Playerof the Week for the 2005 season.

On defense, Bobby Harris paced the Cobras with nine tackles.Chance Peets followed with eight tackles.

North Pike (1-0) is back home Friday andentertain the Loyd Star Hornets (1-0). The Jaguars, coached by AdamBarron, posted a 34-12 win over Bogue Chitto in the season openeron Aug. 26.

In the win over Bogue Chitto, the Jaguars were led by ClaudeBrumfield with 15 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown. MiltonButler rushed for 47 yards on 11 carries and a TD.

Loyd Star handed West Lincoln a 47-7 beating in their seasonopener back on Thursday, Aug. 25.

In that game, the Hornet offense was directed by Michael Brittwith two rushes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Britt also made 11tackles and was selected The DAILY LEADER’s Defensive Player of theWeek.

Loyd Star’s Randy Fells rushed for 82 yards on four carries anda TD.

Defensively, Hunter Speeg and Fells had nine tackles apiece.

Franklin County (1-1) lost its first game ofthe season last Friday night to Terry by a 27-24 score. TheMeadville-based Bulldogs are coached by Grady McCluskey.

In its season opener on Aug. 26, the Bulldogs beat defendingClass 4A state champ Brookhaven 6-0.

Franklin County quarterback Jonte Marshall rushed the football22 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns in the loss at Terry.

Lumberton is the defending Class 2A state champion. The Panthersare led by all-state tailback Terry Grant.

“Lumberton beat the stew out of Tylertown,” said McCluskey.”They run the I-formation and give it to a Dandy Dozen running back(Grant).”

Lawrence County (0-1) is on the road to Mageeto face the Trojans. Coached by Mike Davis, the Monticello-basedCougars lost their season opener on Aug. 26 to the tough West JonesMustangs by a score of 26-3.

“Magee is going to be a 3A contender this year from what I’veseen on film,” said Davis. “They are not as big as they have been,but they are quicker up front. They have very good skill people atrunning back and receiver.”

The Cougars returned to school Monday and began practice after a2-week layoff. “It is kind of like starting over again,” saidDavis. “We are trying to get back to normal.”

Cougar quarterback Will Harris completed 13 of 28 passes for 78yards while Ryan McCall completed 2 of 2 for five yards versus WestJones.

McComb (0-1) is facing a tough road test whenthe Tigers invade Class 5A Madison Central Friday night. McComb,coached by Randy Martin, lost its season opener to rival South Pike26-12.

Last Friday, Wayne County crushed Madison Central 21-3.

South Pike (2-0), coached by Randall Huffman,remains unbeaten on the season after knocking off Noxubee County28-14 in a rescheduled game after original opponent Brookhavencanceled the Sept. 9 game.

Friday night, South Pike entertains Class 5A powerhouse WarrenCentral.

Hazlehurst (2-0) is coming off a lopsided 40-0win over Wilkinson County last Friday. The unbeaten Indians arecoached by Willie Brown.

The Indians will have their hands full when they travel to Class5A Vicksburg and meet the Gators.

Vicksburg slipped past an improved Natchez team 40-34 lastFriday.

Crystal Springs (1-1) was destroyed 52-6 byHinds AHS last Friday. David Virgin’s Tigers entertain the PortGibson Blue Wave Friday.

Port Gibson is coming off a 28-8 whipping at the hands ofJefferson County last Friday.